This is in response to the letter, “Way out of the energy crisis”, published on Feb 01, 2013. Indeed the way forward for Pakistan is complete utilization of its God gifted minerals in the form of coal. Pakistan has one of the largest coal deposits in the world. The drama at Thar must come to an end and they should start open-pit-mining immediately, followed by above ground gasification of coal, as is being done the world over. Currently, the focus is on building an infrastructure that will be required later, and not on getting the coal for gasification, which should have been the priority. No results have emerged from the billions already spent on this project.
The coal deposits of Punjab can also be gasified above ground and used for multiple purposes. Coal is the energy future of Pakistan; both China and India are already on the coal track while we remain derailed.
DR FARID A MALIK.
Lahore, February 1.