SUKKUR: Federal Minister for Water Resources Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah on Friday expressed his dismay over the hindrances always caused in executing various projects, mainly relating to energy, in the country. He claimed that such hindrances undermined progress and development and, as a result, Pakistan remained backward in different sectors.

Speaking to the participants of a rally taken out in Pannu Aqil, he expressed his pleasure over groundbreaking of a by-pass in Pannu Aqil, and said that PPP was committed to resolve all issues being faced by the masses.

Warning people against following those elements who did not like Pakistan to progress, he said Thar Coal project was executed despite resistance by such elements.

He recalled that it was in 1995 that PPP leader Benazir Bhutto had planned to explore Thar coal deposits and execute a mega electricity generation project in Tharparkar but certain quarters raised environmental degradation issue to resist its execution.

When [PPP co-chairman] Asif Ali Zardari came to power, he revived the plan and launched the project, Mr Shah said, and pointed out that now the Thar Coal Project was producing 2,000MW electricity. He expressed his confidence that it would increase power generation to 5,000MW.

Mr Shah criticised opponents of the project for raising objections over development projects and held them responsible for the situation Pakistan was facing in the energy sector.

The minister said Pakistan was rich in natural resources and able to ensure the same pace of progress that had successfully been maintained by developed countries like the United States, Germany, France, China and also certain other countries such as India by going for coal-based energy projects.

However, he added, our countrymen must not create hurdles in executing development projects.

He appreciated that a major dam was being built in the country which would not only help increase power generation but would also ensure provision of adequate water to industries, thus giving a boost to industrial sector. After completion of the dam in 2025, he added, people would get electricity at Rs15 per unit as against its present cost of Rs90 a unit, he said.

Khurshid Shah said that Thar Coal project was also creating employment opportunities for local youths by encouraging industrialists to establish their units in the desert region and offering them proper power supply.

“Pakistanis must not lose hope as this country has the potential and means to ensure speedy progress,” he said, and asked the masses not to heed negative propaganda always resorted to by hostile foreign powers.

The veteran PPP politician regretted that Pakistan was dragged into the Afghan war which continued for 30 years. “Since we remained engaged in the war, we could not pay due attention to development in Gawadar,” he said.

Mr Shah said Pakistan was indeed going through a critical phase with inflation being all time high, and attributed the situation to the policies pursued by former prime minister Imran Khan’s government.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2023