Sindh Province

Tharparkar | ReNews Pakistan
Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company is preparing to launch Phase III of the Thar Block II coal project, marking another major step in Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen energy security through the greater use of domestically produced coal.
The proposed expansion is expected to increase coal production at Pakistan’s largest operational coal mining project, enabling more power plants to benefit from locally available fuel while reducing the country’s dependence on imported energy sources.
The announcement was made as Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company and Engro Powergen Thar Limited completed seven years of commercial operations at Thar Block II. The integrated mine mouth energy project formally achieved its Commercial Operations Date on July 10, 2019.
Developed through a public private partnership involving the federal and Sindh governments, along with local and international investors, the project combines coal extraction and power generation at the same location. This arrangement helps reduce transportation costs and allows coal to be supplied directly from the mine to nearby power plants.
Since the start of commercial operations, the Thar Block II mine has increased its annual production capacity to 7.6 million tonnes. During this period, the project has supplied more than 38 million tonnes of indigenous coal for electricity generation.
Coal extracted from the mine has enabled Engro Powergen Thar Limited to generate more than 27,000 gigawatt hours of electricity, contributing significantly to the national grid and helping limit Pakistan’s exposure to volatile international fuel prices.
The project has assumed greater importance at a time when Pakistan continues to face pressure from rising energy import costs, foreign exchange shortages and fluctuations in global oil, coal and liquefied natural gas prices.
By expanding the use of Thar coal, energy planners hope to improve the affordability and stability of power generation while making better use of the country’s domestic natural resources.
Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company Chief Executive Officer Amir Iqbal said the company had spent more than a decade working to strengthen Pakistan’s energy security through affordable electricity production and sustainable economic development.
He said the project had also created employment and business opportunities for communities in Tharparkar, while supporting local infrastructure, education, healthcare and livelihood initiatives.
Describing Thar coal as a national asset, Amir Iqbal said the company remained committed to inclusive development as it prepared to move into the next stage of expansion.
Athar Abrar Khwaja, Chief Executive Officer of Engro Powergen Thar Limited and Engro Energy Limited, said the power plant had consistently remained among the lowest cost electricity producers in Pakistan since beginning operations.
He said Engro Powergen Thar Limited was Pakistan’s first independent power producer to generate electricity using Thar coal and had demonstrated the potential of indigenous resources to support reliable and comparatively affordable power generation.
According to the company, the proposed Phase III expansion will further improve the scale and efficiency of mining operations. Increased production could allow additional power generation capacity to shift towards locally produced coal, subject to government approvals, financing arrangements and supporting infrastructure.
The expansion may also strengthen the economic viability of the Thar coalfield by lowering the per tonne cost of coal through economies of scale.
Energy sector experts have long argued that the development of Thar coal could help Pakistan diversify its energy mix, although they have also stressed the need for strong environmental safeguards, efficient water management and long term planning as mining and power generation activities expand.
With billions of tonnes of estimated coal reserves, the Thar region is considered one of Pakistan’s most important energy resource areas. The success of Phase III could therefore have broader implications for power sector planning, industrial growth and the country’s efforts to reduce its energy import bill.
The latest expansion plan reflects a renewed focus on indigenous energy production as Pakistan seeks to improve energy reliability, control generation costs and build greater resilience against external fuel price shocks.
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Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan’s cement industry recorded a strong recovery during the fiscal year 2025 26, with total dispatches reaching 50.58 million tons, reflecting an increase of approximately 8 percent compared with the previous financial year.
The improvement was primarily driven by a revival in domestic construction activity, lower average policy rates and stronger local demand. According to a report by AKD Securities, domestic cement sales increased by around 9 percent year on year to approximately 41.5 million tons during FY26.
Local cement dispatches rose sharply by 27 percent year on year to 3.54 million tons in June 2026. Cumulative domestic sales during the entire financial year stood at approximately 41.57 million tons, representing growth of around 10 percent.
Overall cement sales increased by 18.4 percent year on year to 4.33 million tons during June alone. Arif Habib Limited attributed part of the increase to a lower comparison base caused by Eid holidays during the corresponding period of the previous year.
Cement dispatches in the northern region increased by 16 percent to 3.01 million tons in June, while volumes in the southern region rose by 23 percent to 1.31 million tons.
Industry-wide capacity utilisation improved to 59 percent during FY26, compared with 56 percent in FY25. Capacity utilisation in the northern region rose from 49 percent to 53 percent, mainly due to stronger domestic demand.
Southern cement manufacturers recorded capacity utilisation of 84 percent, up from 79 percent during the previous year. The improvement was also supported by a 9 percent increase in sea-based cement exports.
Several leading cement manufacturers reported substantial growth in their dispatches. Lucky Cement’s total volumes increased by 31 percent year on year to 0.91 million tons in June, supported by a 40 percent increase in local sales. The company’s full-year dispatches reached 9.668 million tons, showing growth of 4 percent.
Fauji Cement’s June dispatches rose by 11 percent to 0.48 million tons, while DG Khan Cement recorded a 12 percent increase to 0.39 million tons. Kohinoor Cement and Pioneer Cement also reported double-digit growth during the period.
Power Cement emerged as one of the strongest performers, recording a 60 percent year on year increase in June dispatches to 0.28 million tons. Maple Leaf Cement posted a slight decline in June but still achieved 5 percent growth during the full financial year.
Market analysts expect cement demand to maintain its upward trajectory during FY27. The outlook is supported by recovering economic activity, lower financing costs, construction related relief announced in the federal budget and the potential expansion of housing finance.
AKD Securities has projected that domestic cement consumption may grow by around 8 percent during FY27. Lower construction costs and a possible decline in international coal prices are also expected to support the profitability of cement manufacturers.
However, analysts warned that renewed geopolitical tensions and any sharp increase in oil and coal prices could affect demand, production costs and profit margins.
With monetary easing, fiscal support and stronger housing and infrastructure activity, the cement industry is expected to contribute significantly to the recovery of Pakistan’s construction sector and the broader economy.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
The Sindh government, in coordination with the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, has set June 2027 as the target for completing five major road infrastructure projects across the province. The projects, being implemented under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), carry a revised combined cost of PKR 140.91 billion and are expected to significantly improve regional connectivity, facilitate trade and accelerate economic growth throughout Sindh.
The completion timeline was finalized during a high-level review meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, where progress on federally funded road schemes was assessed in the presence of members of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, led by Chairman Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani, along with provincial ministers and senior government officials.
According to officials, the revised cost of the five projects has reached PKR 140.91 billion, with the federal government contributing PKR 96.75 billion under the PSDP, while the Sindh government will finance PKR 44.15 billion.
The projects include the 36-kilometre Sindh Coastal Highway Extension, the 150-kilometre Mehran Highway, the 31.4 kilometre Tando Allahyar–Tando Adam Dual Carriageway, the 135 kilometre Sanghar/Rohri Road (Nawabshah/Ranipur Dualisation) and the 221-kilometre Rohri/Guddu Road. These strategic road corridors are expected to strengthen transportation networks, reduce travel time and improve access between key commercial, industrial and rural areas of the province.
Officials informed the meeting that construction activities are progressing on all five projects. Work on the Sindh Coastal Highway Extension officially commenced after the issuance of the work order in June 2026, while asphalt base construction has already been completed on 44 kilometres of the Mehran Highway.
Construction is also advancing on the Tando Allahyar/Tando Adam Dual Carriageway, although relocation of utility services, shifting of transmission lines and pending approvals from Pakistan Railways continue to pose implementation challenges. Meanwhile, work is ongoing on the Sanghar/Rohri Road, while widening and base construction have been completed on major sections of the Rohri/Guddu Road, where asphalt laying is expected to begin shortly.
Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah emphasized that modern road infrastructure plays a vital role in strengthening connectivity, facilitating commercial activity and promoting long-term economic development across Sindh.
He described the projects as more than conventional road schemes, stating that they would serve as economic corridors linking different regions of the province, encouraging trade, attracting investment and creating new opportunities for businesses and local communities.
The chief minister directed all relevant departments to resolve outstanding issues relating to utility relocation, regulatory clearances and project financing on a priority basis. He also stressed the importance of the timely release of federal PSDP funds to ensure uninterrupted construction and achieve the June 2027 completion target.
Officials expressed confidence that with continued coordination between the federal and provincial governments, the projects would significantly enhance Sindh's transport infrastructure, improve logistics and support sustainable economic growth across the province.