Karachi: At the My Karachi event, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah emphasized Sindh’s capacity to significantly reduce electricity costs and address Pakistan’s energy crisis through the utilization of Thar coal and natural gas produced within the province.
According to Chief Minister Sindh, the region produces seventy percent of the country’s gas, yet local industries are forced to use more expensive imported RLNG. During his speech, he detailed how Thar coal could be a game-changer for the nation, potentially halving electricity costs and even producing diesel. “The cheapest electricity in Pakistan is generated from Thar coal,” Shah stated, pointing out the discrepancy in electricity pricing where power from the Nooriabad plant is sold at much higher rates to consumers.
The event, attended by diplomats, business leaders, and civil society members, also served as a platform for Shah to address the broader economic issues impacting Karachi. He criticized the federal policies that have hindered the development of additional local power plants and highlighted his ongoing efforts to gain approval for a new power company that would leverage Sindh’s resources.
Shah also criticized the national media’s portrayal of Karachi, urging for a balanced representation that acknowledges the city’s contributions and challenges without bias. He reflected on the security improvements in Karachi, contrasting the current situation with past violence, and acknowledged recent rises in street crime which his administration is actively addressing.
Chief Minister Shah concluded his remarks by paying tribute to the late Siraj Qasim Teli for founding the My Karachi exhibition and underscored the significant budget allocations made for Karachi, urging federal cooperation to further the city’s, and consequently the country’s, prosperity.