Impact of coal power plants on environment: Dr Samar for conducting study from experts

Noted nuclear scientist Dr Samar Mubarakmand said on Tuesday that government should conduct a study from experts regarding the impact of coal power plants on environment. He was addressing the 16th Convocation of the University of Central Punjab. Governor Punjab, Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar graced the occasion with his presence as Chief Guest. Dr Samar Mubarakmand and Director British Council Caven Mclaven, were the Guests of Honour.
A total number of 804 young men and women received their degrees. Governor Punjab awarded degrees to position holders. Chairman Board of Governors UCP Mian Amer Mahmood was also present on the occasion. Dr Samar said that power generation from coal is expensive and hazardous for environment. But underground coal gasification is the only way whereby cheap electricity can be generated causing no harm to environment.
The project of gas coal gasification is underway and electricity production will be possible early next year costing Rs 7 or 8 per unit. Dr Samar Mubarakmand in his address stressed upon the need to use modern technology to accelerate industrial growth. Although Pakistan is an agrarian economy but need of the day is to shift to industrial sector. He said Pakistan is full of natural resources but the challenge is to exploit them efficiently. Further he said that we should try to produce cheap power from our own indigenous fossil fuels.
Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar, Governor Punjab in his address congratulated parents and student for these landmark achievements. He advised students to always seek their parents' blessings in their practical lives. He said that his parents wanted him to be a doctor but he could not fulfil their dreams. But at a later stage, he was given honorary doctorate degree by University of Scotland for his community services.
He further said that education is the key to eradicate poverty and make Pakistan a peaceful country. Social, religious and political intolerance must be avoided for a peaceful Pakistan. He advised students to always struggle and never give-up hope. Dr Zafarullah, Pro-Rector, UCP, in his welcome address appreciated Governor's commendable efforts for the promotion of education and health sector. He also praised Dr Samar Mubarakmand who is heading the project of Underground Coal Gasification, for his untiring efforts to resolve the problems of depleting gas reserves in the country. He thanked Caven Mclaven, Director British Council for facilitating UCP students in research, trainings, internships and employment.
Enumerating University's endeavours and achievements, he said our mission is to provide a progressive learning environment to the youth of this country. Therefore, UCP keeps investing heavily in labs, classrooms, library and other infrastructure, comparable to the best anywhere in the world.
Faculty of Information Technology at UCP offers unique opportunities for innovative education and research. We have also started to include neglected hardware side in the umbrella. We have now started Bachelor's degree programme in Computer Engineering. A programme that very few universities, public or private, offers in Pakistan, but have a huge potential both in local and global market. In Faculty of Engineering, First batch of B.Sc Civil Engineering was admitted in 2013. MS Mechanical Engineering and Ph.D in Electrical Engineering have also been launched during this year.