Uplift of local areas in Thar: Sindh will utilise royalties from coal projects: Soomro
KARACHI: Sindh Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government and Housing and Town Planning Qasim Siraj Soomro has said the provincial government will utilise royalties generated from coal projects for the development of local areas in Thar, while acknowledging that access to safe drinking water remains a major challenge for communities living near energy projects. Speaking on the first day of the…
Sindh's parliamentary secretary for local government, housing and town planning, Qasim Siraj Soomro, announced during the Sindh Energy and Climate Conference that the provincial government would use royalties from coal projects to develop local areas in Thar. However, attendees questioned the government's claims, pointing out ongoing issues such as unemployment, environmental degradation, and inadequate public services for communities affected by energy projects.
Concerns were raised about the lack of proper functioning reverse osmosis plants, which supply safe drinking water, in several parts of Thar. Representatives also criticized the absence of a clear resettlement policy, poor employment prospects, and the improper disposal of wastewater near villages. Women's activist Mehwish highlighted the social and environmental burden of coal-led development on women in Thar, including land acquisition, displacement, and deteriorating health conditions.
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