'Thar coal field excavation work to begin in 2012'

Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali on Friday said work on coal excavation in Thar field would begin next year at the cost of 450 billion dollars. There is no decision to reduce the provincial government's cabinet at present, he said at a press conference held at CM House.
He said under the renowned scientist, Dr Sammar Mubarak, spadework on the project to convert coal into gas at the Thar field continued at full scale. He said the project would start its production in next April and termed it an important programme for the country.
He said power generation at the coal field would soon begin. He said China had agreed to invest its capital in the project and was keen to undertake the work. He said the federal government had only disbursed Rs 2.5 billion to Sindh to repair and rebuild the embankments fully destroyed in recent catastrophic flood, although it had pledged Rs 5 billion for this purpose. Qaim said the government was fully committed to follow its policy of reconciliation in the country and was consulting its all ruling partners on all issues.