Karachi: Former Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh has criticized thecaretaker government for allegedly neglecting the Thar coal project, asreported by ARY News on Monday.
Imtiaz Shaikh expressed his concerns to the media, stating that Thar coalis crucial for Pakistan’s energy needs and that the caretaker government isshowing disregard for it. He further noted that companies involved in theproject, including Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company and Chinese firms, haveraised concerns about delays in various key aspects.
Shaikh criticized the delay in the construction of the 105-km coalfield-Chhor railway line, despite the fact that the Pakistan People’s Party(PPP) government had completed the planning and allocated 50% of the fundsfor the project.
He emphasized that the timely completion of the project would result insignificant savings for the country, amounting to millions of dollars.
Earlier this month, the PPP called upon the Election Commission ofPakistan (ECP) to release funds for development schemes. Senator TajHaider, a senior PPP leader, wrote a letter to the Chief ElectionCommissioner (CEC) and requested the reversal of the decision to freezefund disbursements for development schemes before the elections.
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The PPP criticized the freezing of funds for development schemes designedto provide relief and welfare to the public. Senator Taj Haider argued thatthe caretaker government could not halt development schemes under theElection Act, and he found it unusual for the ECP to stop funddisbursements instead of the caretaker government. Senator Haiderconsidered the ECP’s action unconstitutional, pointing out that despite thegovernment constructing 50,000 houses for flood-affected families in thepast three months, the owners were not being allowed to enter their homes.
He also highlighted challenges, such as mass protests against inflatedelectricity bills and the closure of business centers due to misguidedpolicies. Senator Haider mentioned that a development scheme aimed toinstall solar panels in 2.1 million houses for flood victims in Sindh, butthe project had stalled due to frozen funds. Senator Haider appealed to theelection commission to reconsider its decision on humanitarian grounds.
