Thar's coal must power people, not just plants

For years, Tharparkar has been at the centre of Pakistan's energy discourse. Vast coal reserves have fueled major power projects, helping address the country's electricity shortages. Yet, for the people of Thar, the promise of prosperity remains only partially fulfilled. The focus on large-scale power generation has overshadowed a critical question: can Thar's coal also drive local industry and livelihoods? The answer lies in a simple but transformative idea - coal briquettes. Produced by compressing processed coal into compact fuel blocks, briquettes offer a cleaner and more affordable alternative for commercial and domestic use. Widely used in many countries, they are particularly suited for small industries, tandoors, restaurants and low-income households. Despite this potential, Thar has yet to develop a local industry around this value-added product. The result is a familiar pattern: raw resources are extracted, but local communities see limited economic benefit. It goes without saying that Pakistan's natural resources must serve its people, particularly those in historically neglected regions. Coal briquettes offers the right solution as this approach is rooted in inclusive development, where growth is measured not just in megawatts or macroeconomic gains, but in the empowerment of ordinary citizens. The challenge, however, lies in translating this vision into practical policy interventions that directly benefit local communities. Establishing a coal briquette industry in Tharparkar offers precisely such an opportunity. By creating a value-added industry around coal, the province can unlock a new economic layer that connects natural resources with local enterprise. This can be achieved through a combination of public sector pilot projects and strong private sector participation, supported by incentives, simplified approvals and access to finance. Equally important is the promotion of small and medium enterprises and community-based production units, ensuring that the benefits of industrialisation are widely distributed. A critical barrier to this transformation is access to coal itself. At present, local entrepreneurs have limited or no structured access to Thar coal for small-scale industrial use. Without a regulated and transparent supply mechanism, the idea of local participation will remain largely aspirational. There is an urgent need to allocate coal quotas for local industry, ensure controlled and affordable pricing, and establish systems that prevent monopolisation and exploitation. Such measures must be anchored in a clear provincial policy framework that promotes coal-based value addition rather than limiting its use to power generation alone. Technical and financial support, along with targeted training programmes for local youth, will be essential in building capacity and confidence among emerging entrepreneurs. Institutional backing will further ensure sustainability and scale. The economic and environmental dividends of such an initiative are significant. By providing an alternative fuel source, briquettes can help reduce pressure on natural resources and limit environmentally damaging practices linked to fuel consumption. At the same time, the development of a local industry can generate employment, stimulate small businesses and create a more resilient economic base in one of Sindh's most underdeveloped regions. Thar's development story is still being written. The choice is clear: continue extracting resources for distant consumption, or build local industries that allow communities to share in the wealth beneath their land. Coal briquettes may seem like a modest intervention, but their impact could be far-reaching. It is time to ensure that Thar's coal does more than generate electricity - it must generate opportunity, dignity and ownership for its people.