Massive three billion tonne coal reserves were discovered in Thar during the exploitation at Thar Coal Field Block 1, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Monday.

"After digging 145 metres in Block 1 this morning, coal was discovered. It is the second such major achievement of the Sindh government," the Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said

He expressed his pleasure and said that they used to say that Thar will change the fortunes of Pakistan and that slogan is now becoming a reality.

https://twitter.com/sindhinfodepart/status/1488123651224449025

He said that the discovered reserves were equivalent to five billion barrels of crude oil.

Also, Minister for Energy Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh congratulated the nation, saying that the annual production of coal will be 9 billion tonnes in the first phase.

He said that the discovery will help Pakistan meet its energy needs. The minister also conveyed good wishes for the Pakistani team and Chinese experts working on the project.

Tharparkar-Block 1 has been classified as an Early Harvest Project - EHP under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor CPEC and Shanghai Electric Group is the major shareholder in the project.

Experts opined the development of a local resource base in Thar will go a long way in helping Pakistan achieve its long-term goal.

The Thar coalfield is considered to be the 16th largest coal reserves in the world.

Tharparkar-Block 1 has been classified as an "Early Harvest Project - EHP" under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor CPEC and Shanghai Electric Group is the major shareholder in the project.

Experts opined the development of a local resource base in Thar will go a long way in helping Pakistan achieve its long-term goal.

The Thar coalfield is considered to be the 16th largest coal reserves in the world