In Tharparkar, on October 25th, the Engro Thar Block II power plants, developed as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), have not only become coal-fired power stations utilizing local resources to generate electricity for the nation but have also created more than 17,000 job opportunities for the local population.
Khushhal Thar, an endeavor by the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC), has been instrumental in providing employment opportunities to the local community across various projects in Block II. According to a recent statement from SEMSC, “In a bid to promote inclusivity, Khushhal Thar has facilitated over 28,000 job opportunities, accounting for a substantial 61% of the total employment in Thar Block II.” This indicates that 17,080 individuals, constituting 61% of the overall workforce, have been employed in various capacities within Thar Block II. The statement, released on Tuesday evening, underscores SECMC’s dedication to empowering the local community.
Khushhal Thar was established to prioritize locals for industry-specific and labor-intensive positions within Block II, where the mine-mouth power plant is situated. It functions as a local employment database and employs a first-come, first-served approach to offer job opportunities. Khushhal Thar has proven to be highly effective in helping local residents secure positions in various projects within Thar.
SECMS is a partnership between the Government of Sindh and Engro Powergen, formed with the objective of extracting coal reserves in Sindh. The 660MW Engro Thar Coal Power Project, a CPEC initiative in Thar Block II implemented by Engro PowerGen Thar Ltd. and China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), was finalized in 2019 and is currently operational.
The 330MW HUBCO Thar Coal Power Project (Thar Energy) is another coal-fired power station at Thar Block II executed and sponsored by HUBCO, FFC, and CMEC. This project was completed on September 30, 2023, and is currently operational.
Another CPEC initiative in Thar Block II is the 330MW HUBCO ThalNova Thar Coal Power Project, also financed and executed by HUBCO, FFC, and CMEC. This project was finalized on February 17, 2023, and is currently operational.
