Bilawal Cites Thar Development to Counter ‘System Has Failed’ Narrative
At a glance
- Phase III of the Thar Coal Block II project has been inaugurated, increasing annual output.
- PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari cited Thar's development as a success of Pakistan's system.
- CM Murad Ali Shah stated Thar Coal has become the world's fourth-largest mine.
Story so far
The Sindh government has inaugurated Phase III of the Thar Coal Block II project, a major expansion set to increase the mine's annual production to 11.2 million tonnes and supply cheaper electricity to the national grid. At the launch ceremony, both Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari hailed the project's success. The CM noted it has become one of the world's largest mines, while Bilawal used the development as a political example to counter narratives of systemic failure in Pakistan.
Latest development
At the inauguration of the Thar Coal project's third phase, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari rejected claims that Pakistan's system has failed, presenting Tharparkar's development as a model of success. He challenged critics, suggesting they "hand Islamabad over to the people of Tharparkar" to fix it.
Latest updates
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony for Phase III of the Thar Coal project, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari challenged the narrative that Pakistan's system has collapsed. He presented the development in Tharparkar as a success story for the country's system, the 1973 Constitution, and the 18th Amendment.
"If we accept it for a moment, it means that Islamabad has failed. Hand Islamabad over to the people of Tharparkar; they will fix it," he stated, criticising those who call for new provinces. He added that Thar is now generating 14% of the national grid's electricity and saving the country up to $1.6 billion in foreign exchange.
Separately, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced that with the latest expansion, the Thar Coal mine has become the world's fourth-largest.
Latest Fact Checks
Bilawal challenges 'system has failed' narrative, cites Tharparkar’s development
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday rejected claims that the country’s system had collapsed, saying the development of Tharparkar demonstrated its success. Addressing a ceremony in Tharparkar to inaugurate Phase III of the Thar Coal Project
Thar Block II: Phase III to raise mine output to 11.2mn tonnes a year, says CM Murad
The Thar coal mine will increase annual production by 3.6 million tonnes to 11.2 million tonnes after the completion of Phase III of the Thar Coal Block II project, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said on Monday. The Sindh government on Monday in
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