Despite coal is the cheapest and effective source of energy consumed throughout the world for generating power, some are against the utilisation of the gigantic Thar Coal deposits in Sindh which is sufficient to meet energy requirements for decades to come as pointed out by Dr Samar Mand our nuclear scientist and now associated with Thar Coal project.
In USA, there are at least 600 industries being run on coal whereas World Bank is financially supporting the worlds biggest setting up of coal based industry in South Africa and also second biggest industry based on coal in Gujarat, India.
As per a report of prestigious World Coal Institute, London, (published in 2006), the share of the coal in the production of power in the United States was about 52.2 percent, while China produces 77.5 percent of its total electricity by using coal. The share of coal in the production of electricity is 92.2 per cent in South Africa.
India meets approximately 70 per cent of its power needs through coal, whereas we are using just five per cent of our coal for energy production.
I appeal to the federal government to fully support the utilisation of coal for energy purpose for the better future of the country.
MOHAMMAD KHAN SIAL
Karachi