Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani ordered fund releasing of  Rs. 2.4 billion for the Thar coal power project.

Distinguished scientist Dr Samar Mubarakmand called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday.

Dr Samar Mubarakmand said Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto convened conference of Pakistani scientists in Multan in which he had assigned mission of Pakistan Nuclear Programme to them who delivered on that account. He further said that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had given missile technology to Pakistan, adding, both Pakistan’s nuclear programme and missile technology made Pakistan’s defense impregnable.

He said that the PPP government led by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani could overcome energy deficiency in the country which would be the third crowning achievement of the PPP and its leadership.

Dr Samar, while briefing the Prime Minister on the current project of coal gas,said that 100 MW of electricity would be generated by the end of 2013 from Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) of Thar Coal at a total cost of Rs 9.9 billion.
He informed the Prime Minister that in December 2011, a very significant breakthrough occurred in UCG project whereby coal gas was successfully produced by ignition of coal 600 feet below ground.
This blue pollution-free flame of the gas burns in a flare and illuminates the dark night skies of Thar, he added.
Dr Samar Mubarakmand requested the Prime Minister to arrange immediate funding of Rs 2.4 billion this year and the remaining 7.8 billion during the next financial year to complete power generation phase of the project so that the country can benefit from generation of 100 MW of electricity before the end of 2013.
The Prime Minister directed the Ministers of Finance, Petroleum and Natural Resources to have a meeting at the earliest and arrange financial resources required for the project without further delay.
Dr Samar also discussed the current situation of deficiency of gas in the country in detail.
He said that fertilizer plants and the industrial sector consumed 43 per cent of the total gas in the country.
Dr Samar Mubarakmand said that he would prepare a presentation on coal gas to meet the demand of two sectors of Pakistan’s economy by the end of this week or early next week, which will be presented to the Ministries of Finance and Petroleum. The Prime Minister may also attend the meeting, he added.
He said that project was expected to cost $ 250 million approximately and the gas from the project, when approved, would begin to flow into the national system as early as 2014.
Dr Samar Mubarakmand, however, added that if the process of approval and financing was handled on fast track and the project commences within next three months, the outflow of gas can start even at the end of 2012 or early 2013.