Since then, the global energy environment has changed dramatically. Energy is no longer just a question of cost or development. It is now deeply connected with geopolitics, supply chains and national security.
The recent escalation of tensions between Iran and Israel has once again highlighted how fragile global energy routes can be. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, carries a significant share of the world's oil shipments. Any disruption in this corridor immediately affects global oil markets.
For Pakistan, such disruptions are not distant geopolitical events. They have direct consequences for the domestic economy. Pakistan imports most of the petroleum products used in transportation, agriculture and industry. When oil prices surge or shipping routes become unstable, the country experiences inflation, pressure on foreign exchange reserves and rising energy costs.
In other words, Pakistan's energy system is closely tied to global maritime supply chains that it does not control.
This vulnerability forces policymakers to reconsider a basic question. Should Pakistan continue relying heavily on imported energy, or should it focus more seriously on the resources that exist within its own borders?
One of the most important of these resources lies in the Thar desert of Sindh.
The Thar coalfield contains an estimated 175 billion tonnes of lignite coal. This makes it one of the largest coal deposits in the world. For decades, this resource remained largely untouched because of the technical and infrastructure challenges involved in mining coal in a remote desert region. Roads, water supply, power transmission and transportation systems all had to be built before large-scale extraction could begin.
Over the past decade, however, progress has been made. Several power plants using Thar coal are now operating and supplying electricity to the national grid. Together, they produce more than 2,600 megawatts of power, making indigenous coal an important part of Pakistan's energy mix.
The economic impact of this development is significant. Electricity generated from Thar coal has a much lower fuel cost, compared with electricity produced from imported coal. In recent years, the fuel cost for Thar coal power has been reported at roughly Rs4.8 per unit, while imported coal-based generation has reached nearly Rs19.5 per unit, depending on global market conditions.
The difference between these numbers illustrates a simple economic principle. Energy produced from domestic resources tends to be more stable and predictable than energy purchased from international markets.
However, the true strategic value of Thar coal extends beyond electricity generation.
Pakistan's most serious energy vulnerability lies in its dependence on imported fuels such as diesel, petrol and liquefied natural gas. These fuels are essential for transport, agriculture and industrial production. Each year, the country spends billions of dollars importing them.
This is where modern coal conversion technologies become relevant.
Coal does not have to be used only as a fuel for power plants. It can also be converted into useful gases and liquids through industrial processes.
One of these methods is called coal gasification. In simple terms, gasification involves heating coal at extremely high temperatures with a limited amount of oxygen. Instead of burning completely, the coal breaks down into a mixture of gases. This mixture is known as synthesis gas, or syngas. It mainly contains hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
Syngas can then be used as a raw material to produce a wide range of industrial products, including fertilizers, chemicals and fuels.
Another important technology is the Fischer-Tropsch process. This chemical process converts synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbons such as diesel and jet fuel. The concept was first developed in Germany in the early twentieth century and later used by countries that lacked natural oil reserves.
The principle behind this technology is straightforward. A country with abundant coal but limited oil can convert its coal into synthetic fuel.
For Pakistan, this idea carries important implications.
Instead of importing millions of barrels of crude oil, the country could produce a portion of fuels domestically by converting coal into synthetic liquids. Even partial substitution would reduce the pressure on foreign exchange reserves and increase energy security.
From a supply chain perspective, the advantages are clear.
First, there is the issue of foreign exchange. Imported petroleum must be paid for in dollars and transported by sea across long distances. Domestic coal is mined within the country and most of its costs are paid in local currency.
Second, there is the issue of price volatility. Global oil prices can change rapidly because of geopolitical events such as wars, sanctions or disruptions to shipping routes. Domestic energy resources are generally less exposed to such fluctuations.
Third, there is the question of supply security. When a country depends heavily on imported petroleum, it becomes vulnerable to disruptions beyond its control. A domestic resource such as Thar coal cannot be blockaded by maritime tensions thousands of kilometres away.
The current geopolitical climate demonstrates this risk clearly. Conflicts in the Middle East, attacks on shipping routes and political tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have repeatedly shown how quickly global energy markets can become unstable.
For Pakistan, the lesson is simple. A diversified energy strategy that includes domestic resources is essential for economic resilience.
Another issue that often arises in discussions about large industrial projects is technological dependence. Many people assume that sophisticated projects such as coal gasification plants or synthetic fuel facilities must rely entirely on foreign contractors and technological assistance from abroad.
This assumption overlooks Pakistan's existing industrial capabilities.
The country already operates large-scale chemical and industrial facilities, including fertilizer plants, oil refineries, cement factories and petrochemical complexes. These industries are managed by Pakistani engineers and technicians who possess extensive experience in chemical process engineering and industrial operations. Pakistan built its atomic program from the ground up, so this shouldn’t be more complex than that.
Universities in Pakistan produce thousands of engineers each year in fields such as chemical engineering, mechanical engineering and materials science. With proper planning and investment, these professionals are fully capable of designing, operating and maintaining advanced industrial facilities.
Developing coal conversion technologies domestically would therefore not only enhance energy security but also strengthen Pakistan's technological base and industrial capacity.
Environmental concerns must also be acknowledged. Coal has traditionally been associated with pollution and carbon emissions. However, modern industrial plants incorporate technologies that significantly reduce environmental impact. These include carbon capture systems, advanced emission control equipment and water recycling technologies.
The objective should not be to solely rely on coal indefinitely, but to use it strategically during a period when global energy supply chains are becoming increasingly uncertain.
The world is entering an era in which energy markets are shaped as much by geopolitics as by economics. Wars, sanctions and maritime disputes can disrupt fuel supplies almost overnight.
Countries that depend entirely on imported energy remain exposed to these shocks.
Pakistan, however, possesses a resource that can help reduce this vulnerability. Beneath the sands of the Thar desert lies a vast coal deposit capable of supporting electricity generation, industrial production and potentially synthetic fuel manufacturing.
Eight years ago, the argument was that Thar coal deserved attention.
Today, the argument is stronger. In an unstable global energy environment, developing domestic resources is no longer just a development option. It is a strategic necessity.
'Kala Sona' was never simply about coal. It was about recognizing the value of a national resource and using it wisely.
The challenge now is to turn that recognition into long-term planning followed by action, that strengthens Pakistan's energy independence and industrial future.
Shehroz