Coal Reserves
Pakistan’s coal resources are estimated to be very vast, but very little progress is made in its use for energy. While total reserves are estimated to be 185 billion tonnes, with the majority stated to be in Sindh, the use of coal in Pakistan’s energy mix stands at less than 0.1 per cent, which is much lower than the global average of 40 per cent. The Thar Desert in Sindh is claimed to contain the seventh largest oil reserves in the world, estimated at 175 billion tonnes. The government at this point claims to be developing the area’s infrastructure to generate investment, with road networks, electricity, communication, and other necessary facilities. However, the progress so far with regards to extraction is very minimal. It is essential for Pakistan to tap its coal reserves to efficiently solve its energy crisis to avoid depletion of other limited resources.