Pakistan to import high-quality Afghan coal in rupees

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday green-signalled import of super-critical quality coal from Afghanistan in Pakistani rupees instead of dollars to generate low-cost electricity as the country is grappling with its worst-ever power crisis.
The prime minister, chairing a meeting to improve the mechanism for transportation of Afghan coal, expressed concerns over the rising price of coal in the international market.
He said the rise in coal price was also one of the reasons behind the generation of expensive electricity by the coal power plants operating in the country.
He viewed that the import of Afghan coal in Pakistani currency would save the foreign exchange.
The prime minister was told that the import of Afghan coal – initially for Sahiwal and Hub power plants – would save around $2.2 billion annually.
PM Shehbaz directed the authorities to devise an effective mechanism to help generate low-cost power and provide relief to the domestic and industrial consumers.
He directed the railways ministry to take all-out measures for swift transportation of coal from Afghanistan to the power plants.
He also ordered the formation of a committee of all relevant departments under Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.