KARACHI: ‘Thar is a game changer and Sindh government has changed the game by excavating coal from the region. We now plan on transmitting first electron in the national grid from a coal-based power plant in Thar by December 2018,’ announced Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah. CM Murad while addressing a delegation of 215 participants of National Security and War Course-2019 of National Defence University (NDU)said that the achievement of open pit mining, installation of coal-fired power plant and production of electricity had a long and painful history.He said that when all doors were found closed provincial government in partnership with Engro formed a company and started the mining process. “We found coal reserves and now, the coal-based power plant is also at completion stage and in December 2018 we would start producing electricity from coal,” he said. CM Murad said that the term ‘Thar’ meant desert, and before the government’s initiatives, there were only tracks leading to the coalfield. “The Sindh government has invested over $1 billion to develop road network, airport and other facilities in Thar, this is why Thar has become land of opportunities where investment in coal mining, power generation, tourism, hotel industry, transport and in other sectors is actively attracting investors” he said. Murad Ali Shah said that poverty in this region was a result of the ongoing drought. He said that a large portion of population was living in the desert, their livelihood was dependent on rainfall and in the presence of rain, they grew bajar, jawar and other such crops. The CM said that when there was scanty rainfall, people started migrating and it was during migration that their cattle and children died. He explained that the cause of children’s death was early marriages, malnutrition and lack of awareness. “Mostly, weak children are born there and ratio of pre-mature births is also high,” he said. “Mostly, children are born at home at hands of untrained traditional `daies’. The child death ratio is not high as is being propagated,” he said. “We have started distributing wheat free of cost and have launched a nutrition programme and upgraded all tehsil and district headquarter hospitals where all facilities are available,” announced the CM. Talking about terrorism, Murad Ali Shah said that historically Sindh was a land of peace, tranquillity and a seat of learning but with the passage of time and implementation of wrong policies, Sindh, particularly Karachi, had suffered a lot because of terrorism. He said that he was proud to say that Sindh had not produced any terrorist but all terrorists came from other areas. “Oh yes, wave of extremism also affected this land of sufis and some facilitators of terrorist emerged here and they inflicted serious damage to social fabric, economy, education and every sector,” he said. “Finally a targeted operation was launched against terrorists, target killers and extortionists and it remained effective. Now, street crime is a big challenge and we have launched policy to counter it squarely and it would also be eliminated,” he added. He said that underpasses and overhead bridges had been reconstructed following the infrastructure devastation. He said that delayed K-IV bulk water supply and S-III projects and other water treatment projects had also been initiated. “We have also launched public transport project and project of KCR would also see light of the day shortly,” he said. “Establishment of new industrial zones would create employment opportunities,” he informed. Replying to a question, chief minister said that water shortage had badly affected ecology of Indus delta. “The solution of water shortage could be controlled through conservation, change in cropping patter-means we would have to switch over to low delta crops and canal lining,” he said. “The kharif season faced water shortage this year and a water shortage has been predicted for the next season and every once in 10 to eight years, floods hit Sindh,” said CM Murad. “In this situation, how can we set about to constructing new dams. We do not oppose dams but our narrative is more clear,” he said. Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah, in response to a question said that the 18th Constitutional amendment had strengthened federation. After the 18th Amendment, provincial governments had becameadministratively, financially and democratically strong and its fruits were being harvested by all provincial governments. He said that Sindh had become financially a little strong with the creation of SRB which collected services on sales. “Similarly, Punjab has become financially stronger,” he pointed out. “There are some people who believe in centralisation of powers are opposing 18th amendment,” he said and added in modern democracy powers were devolved. “We would strongly oppose any attempt to roll back 18th amendment,” said CM Murad. Earlier, National Defence University Chief Instructor Rear Admiral Zain Zulfiquar thanked chief minister (CM) for meeting with his delegation and presented him a memento. The chief minister also presented memento to NDU Chief Instructor. Published in Daily Times, October 18th 2018.