Karachi, August 2, 2024 – The Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, on Friday claimed that the province could supply electricity generated from indigenous coal at 50% lower rates than current tariffs.
At the inauguration ceremony of the 19th My Karachi – Oasis of Harmony Exhibition at the Expo Center, Shah emphasized that Sindh is an energy-rich province with the potential to generate affordable electricity from the abundant coal resources in Tharparkar. He also mentioned the possibility of setting up gas-run power plants, similar to the Sindh government’s Nooriabad Power Plant.
“The cost of electricity, including its transmission from the 100 megawatts Nooriabad power plant to Karachi, stood at Rs15.80 per unit. In contrast, industries in Karachi are being supplied electricity at rates between Rs48 to Rs52 per unit, which is excessively high. If we are allowed to set up more power plants utilizing our province’s gas, we can provide electricity at least 50% lower than the existing tariff within the next three to five years upon the completion of proposed power plants,” Shah stated.
The event was attended by several notable figures, including Minister for Information, Transport, Excise & Taxation Sharjeel Inam Memon, Minister for Industries & Commerce Ikramullah Khan Dharejo, Minister for Irrigation Jam Khan Shoro, Senator Waqar Mehdi, Chairman Businessmen Group Zubair Motiwala, Vice Chairmen BMG Anjum Nisar and Jawed Bilwani, President KCCI Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh, and other distinguished members of the business community.
Shah further asserted that Sindh produces 70% of the country’s gas, and it is explicitly written in Pakistan’s Constitution that the province has the first priority on its natural resources. However, instead of complying with the constitution, industries in Karachi are forced to use RLNG, which is unjust and has led to increased unemployment due to the high cost of doing business.
“During these difficult times, we all, including the government, industry, and the common man, should stay united and contribute in whatever way we can for the progress and prosperity of Karachi, Sindh, and Pakistan,” he urged.
Despite numerous challenges, Shah praised the resilience of Karachi and its business community, describing the city as not only an Oasis of Harmony but also an Oasis of Hope for the entire country. “It is a city where all types of languages are spoken, and people from all parts of Pakistan and many parts of the world come here in search of economic opportunities,” he added.
Shah stressed the importance of Karachi’s progress for the entire country’s prosperity, lamenting that the city’s industries are being forced into inefficiency. “We have to come out of it and raise a strong voice against such injustices by fervently demanding the province’s constitutional right to its gas resources,” he said.
He also highlighted the Sindh government’s commitment to infrastructure development in Karachi, with plans to spend more than Rs200 billion during 2024-25. As the K-IV water project faces delays, the government is constructing a water canal from Hub, expected to provide an additional 50MGD to Karachi upon completion within a year.
“We must work together for the progress and prosperity of Karachi, which is the heart of Pakistan and capable of ensuring prosperity for the entire Sindh and the rest of Pakistan. We are also actively working to effectively deal with street crimes, despite the challenges posed by the city’s size,” Shah noted.
Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala, in his remarks, stressed the business community’s need for the CM’s support in dealing with various longstanding issues, particularly gas and electricity tariffs, which have led to the closure of many industrial units. He also sought the CM’s help in resolving the water shortages faced by Karachi’s industries.
Motiwala called for RLNG to be supplied to other provinces, with Sindh’s gas demands being met through indigenous resources. He also highlighted the international participation in the My Karachi Exhibition, which portrays a positive image of Karachi and showcases the excellence of Pakistan’s manufacturing and trading sectors.
President KCCI Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh warmly welcomed the guests, emphasizing that the My Karachi expo offers an ideal platform for business interactions and recreational activities, attracting a million Karachiites annually. He expressed gratitude to the participants for contributing to the success of the exhibition and encouraged everyone to make the most of the opportunity to forge new connections and celebrate achievements.