The Vice Chancellor University of Sindh Prof: Dr. Nazir A Mughal addressing on the occasion of 2nd National Conference of “Coal of Sindh – Endeavors for Powering Pakistan”.
The eminent geoscientists of the country have stressed the need for speedy efforts towards exploiting of indigenous resource of Thar coal deposits for the use energy product and to overcome on energy crises.
The scholars also expressed their worry on delay in progress of Thar coal deposits and urged that there is dire need for continuous and speedy efforts for exploiting of coal deposits which is only way to produce
energy to cater the needs of present and coming days.
They were speaking in one day National seminar on Coal of Sindh-Endeavors for Powering Pakistan? on Saturday organized by the Center of Excellence in Pure and Applied Geology University of Sindh in collaboration with Weatherford Oil Tools M.E and Pakistan Petroleum Limited. The seminar was attended by eminent scholars from all over Pakistan including representatives of the different Industries and a number of students and faculty of the University of Sindh Presiding over the seminar Vice Chancellor University of Sindh Prof.Dr.Nazir A.Mughal said that energy crisis in Pakistan has reached an alarming stage, it has stilted our industrial growth and economic development. Dr.Mughal referring data coal in Sindh said that it is really surprising that available coal would cater the 90% need of energy of the Country for the years. Dr.Mughal while referring his recent academic visit to China said that University of Sindh is celebrating this year towards China -Pakistan’s 60 year friendship and during year 2011 the Chinese scholars will be invited to deliver lectures. He pointed out that in this connection a Chinese scholar is visiting the University for two weeks. He said that the University is establishing a separate department of Chinese Language studies and a research Chair will also be established in the Area study center of the University. He said that the University has developed academic linkages with the six Universities of China. Dr.Mughal said that there is need for linkages between Industry and University and urged upon the University scholar to visit the Industries and offer their expertise. He also highlighted academic reforms introduced by him through Vice Chancellor?s executive council and added that academic reforms mostly emphasized upon community service through the research Dr.Mughal while appreciating efforts for holding national seminar by the Center for Pure and Applied Geology on Thar Coal said that energy production through imported furnace oil has brought out economy to a critical stage and added that situation demands all out efforts to exploit and utilize indigenous resources. Dr.Mughal said that coal is claimed to be part of our energy mix but inspite of discovery of huge coal deposits of Thar, our progress in utilizing this recourse has been unfortunately almost nil. Dr.Mughal said that it is ironic that deposits discovered in mid eighties have yet to be utilized for power generation, although with limited
options available in facing energy crises, concentrated efforts should have been made to overcome all the impediments in its expiation and utilization. There is now some hope that its utilization will be initiated with coal gasification process going operational next month Dr.Mughal said adding that Memorandum of Understanding have also been singed with Chinese and British mining concerns for exploitation of Thar coal and power generation
is expected to start by the mid of 2012. The Vice Chancellor pointed out that such University-industry liaison is imperative for promotion of research and added that virtually all universities in the developed and developing countries world owe their research contribution that led to industrial innovative research and economic advancement to the University-Industry liaison and collaborative efforts. The Universities in Pakistan have been unfortunately lagged behind in this regard relying totally on government funding but due to financial crises we have reached an impasse Dr.Mughal said. Dr.Mughal stressed the need that Universities have now to develop liaison with industry to promote research and generate funds through the collaborative efforts. He said that efforts of the Center for Pure and Applied Geology in developing liaison with oil industry are highly commendable. Eminent geoscientist and Secretary General of Association of Asian Academies of Science Dr.Muhammad Qasim Jan who was the Chief Guest said that the Country is passing sever energy crises and added that Thar coal is only indigenous source to over come the energy crises. Dr.Jan also highlighted facts and figures of Sindh Coal Authority and added that we are not taking advantage of available source of coal which can be major source for the energy. He said that in the world many countries there is 90 percentage share of coal for producing electricity.
He said that in the world countries there is much deeper coal instead of Thar coal but they exploited and getting benefit for energy production. He said that Pakistan can get benefit for 100 years if the Thar coal deposits are fully exploited and added that government must take speedy efforts for its benefit and the latest technology can be helpful. He said that with exploiting Thar coal, the energy on cheaper rates will be available and it will also help to slowdown the migration from rural to urban. The scholar said that academicians should start thinking for educationb of youth because only classroom study is not enough to cater the needs of modern world for education and generating of new knowledge. In his key note speech the Director General Geological Survey of Pakistan Dr.Imran Ahmed Khan said that energy is life line of modern civilization and added that it is mostly politicized at global stage.
He said that the energy is major component of development and added that energy security is dynamic. He pointed out that energy supply is a big problem in our Country and demand and supply is rise and added that by 2030 there will be a high gap in demand and supply of energy. He said that indigenous source coal is a big hope and added that we must
rely on indigenous source and we have no any other option. He said that we are expanding our industry without realizing of gas situation. He advised for creation of a full-fledged Ministry of Energy to integrate functions of oil, gas, coal, power, renewable energy conservation. The Dean Faculty of Natural Science Dr.Muhammad Tahir Rajput speaking on
this occasion said that under the current circumstances where energy crises is the talk of the town, the geology center has very rightly organized this one day national conference on the coal of Sindh. He said that every year the faculty of Natural Sciences organizes various
workshops, conferences from time to time to provide platform to scientists to upgrade and exchange their knowledge with fellow scientists and students. Dr.Sarfraz Hussain Solangi Director of the Center for Pure and Applied Geology welcoming participants said that coal will be major source to sustain the needs. He said that a careful study is needed on Thar coal and added that a sophticated and advanced research laboratory has been established in the
center.
