KARACHI, Jan 10: The Sindh Coal Energy Board, headed by Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, is holding its crucial meeting on Tuesday (January 13) to consider three investment proposals for coal-mining and setting up of coal-fired electric power generation plants.

Well-placed sources revealed that investment proposals were given by Jehangir Siddiqui, Engro and Al-Tuwairaqi that were processed and scrutinised by a four-member committee, headed by Syed Asad Ali Shah, and have been recommended for a further follow up consideration.

The board had received six investment proposals, and three were apparently discarded after each of the three sponsors was unable to find a suitable technical partner.

Sources in the Sindh government are not certain as to how many of four federal government nominees on the board will turn up on Tuesday’s meeting. The four members are deputy chairman of Planning Commission, federal law minister and federal minister of power and natural resources and federal secretary of power and natural resources.

The meeting of the board has been convened after media reports that the Punjab government is moving swiftly to attract foreign and local investors for setting up coal-fired electric generation projects.

With hardly 265 million tons of coal reserves, the Punjab Chief Minister, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, has managed to attract established investors in Hong Kong to visit his province to explore setting up of coal-fired projects.

Only this week, the Punjab government announced setting up of four coal-fired electric generation projects of 50 MW each at four different places.

Under the policy, the provinces have been empowered to sanction and implement 50 MW power stations in their territory.

In another development, a four-member World Bank mission reached Karachi on Saturday for a two-week visit to assist the government in technical evaluation of investment proposals. Headed by Mr Michael Stanley, the World Bank team will be joined by three Pakistani consultants.

On Jan 15, the Sindh government is organising an international seminar on investment opportunities in Sindh minerals. One full session will be devoted to coal reserves in the province.