Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says utilization of local energy resources is top priority of his government.

Chairing a review meeting regarding transportation of Thar coal in Islamabad on Thursday, he said Thar coal can sufficiently fulfil our energy needs.

He said we will produce cheaper electricity by utilizing local coal instead of the imported one.

Secretary Railways apprised the meeting that Pakistan Railway as par directions of the Prime Minister will be able to supply local coal to power plants, cement factories and brick kilns across the country by laying a105 kilometre long track from Shhore to Islamkot by 23rd March next year.

He said overall cost of the project is 58 billion rupees that will be shared equally by the Federal and Sindh governments.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also constituted a committee headed by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, directing it to present a detailed report in next 72 hours regarding availability of Thar coal and its demand in the local market.

Others members of the committee include Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Dr. Jahanzeb Khan, Director General Frontier Works Organization, Secretaries of concerned Ministries and experts.

Source: Radio Pakistan