Bilawal Defends System, Highlights Tharparkar
At a ceremony in Tharparkar, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari rejected claims that Pakistan’s system had collapsed. He praised the district’s development as an “archetype of success” and highlighted the inauguration of Phase III of the Thar Coal Project’s Block II. The project now supplies 14 % of the national grid, saves roughly $1.6 billion in foreign reserves, and employs 94 % Sindhi workers, 60 % of whom come from Thar.
The Thar Coal Project, a public private partnership, has been a flagship of the 18th Constitutional Amendment’s decentralization agenda. By harnessing the country’s largest coal reserve, the project aims to reduce dependence on imported fuel, lower electricity costs, and boost local employment. The 660 MW Lucky Electric plant and the planned Thar Rail are expected to further integrate the region into Pakistan’s energy network.
If Phase III delivers on its promises, it could set a precedent for other provinces to develop domestic resources, strengthen energy security, and generate significant foreign exchange savings. The project’s success also underscores the political narrative that local development can counter national criticism, potentially influencing future policy debates on provincial autonomy and resource management.
