Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Prof Ahsan Iqbal said Tuesday that the government was planning to establish 10 coal-fired power stations at Thar during the next ten years in collaboration with China.
“We are establishing ten power stations in Thar during the next ten years, which will help bring prosperity in the area,” the minister said while addressing a national conference on nutrition in the capital.
Iqbal said that from Thar power stations, 6,500 MW of electricity would be generated. He said that under the vision 2025, Pakistan’s economy’s position would reach from current 45 to 25 and people would also witness a big change in their standard of living in the country.
Iqbal stressed the need for resolving food securing related issues which was important to ensure food security in the country. He regretted that despite being a nuclear power we were still underdeveloped where 43 percent children were facing malnutrition hampering their mental ability.
It was necessary to ensure food security to the children in order to build a society with healthy minds for the prosperity of the country, the minister added.
“It is the age of knowledge and we are committed to equip our children with modern education for the prosperity of the country,” he said.
Regarding Peshawar terrorists attack on school, he said that this episode united the nation against terrorism. He stressed the need for continuity of policies, political stability and unity among the nation for prosperity of the country.
The other speakers on the occasion stressed the need for food security for prosperity in the country and also put forward valuable suggestions to the government in this regard.