Member of the Science and Technology Planning Commission, Dr Samar Mubarakmand on Tuesday said gas shortage would end within a year through coal reserves. Talking to a private news channel, he said Pakistan has enough coal reserves through which they could daily produce 50-60 million cubic feet of gasifies which would end gas shortage from the country. In answer to a question, he said the gas production project planning commission required $1.5 million. He said three to four gasifies from coal will reduce the shortage of gas on an urgent basis.
Dr Samar said it was for the first time in the history of the country that the coal gasification was being launched on a commercial basis and abundant and cheap electricity would be available. He said coal was burnt at about 250 feet underground last year and scientists successfully found the gas at Islam Kot area of Thar. He added that this project could generate 10,000 megawatts of electricity for 30 years and could produce 100 million barrels of diesel per year. The Thar coal project would become operational in December 2013, he said. Dr Samar remarked that the project would cost Rs 8.898 billion with a foreign exchange component of Rs 5.847 billion which was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council last year.
