[[IMAGE: The country could produce coal-powered electricity at Rs4 to Rs5 per unit against power generated at Rs12-13 per unit by using expensive furnace oil. PHOTO: FILE ]] ISLAMABAD:? Despite clear instructions of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the finance ministry has not yet committed any funds for providing much-needed boost to the Thar coal project. In a meeting held here on Friday, Dr Samar Mubarakmand and his team gave a detailed briefing to Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on available options and financing required to get maximum benefits from coal reserves but could not get any words on release of funds, said sources privy to the meeting. Just a day earlier, the premier while chairing a meeting of the Council of Common Interests – the highest constitutional body to resolve federal and provincial matters – had directed the finance ministry to give top priority to arranging funds for the Thar coal project because of it being an important national project for power generation. The options tabled in front of the top economic managers included diesel production with the help of coal costing a mere $40 per barrel, power generation at Rs4 to Rs5 per unit and production of 2.2 billion cubic feet of gas per day with an investment of $1.2 billion. Currently, the country’s total gas production is 4 billion cubic feet per day against demand of 5.5 billion cubic feet.

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Thar coal: Despite PM’s orders ministry fails to allocate funds