Communities affected by coal mining and power generation in Thar have demanded affordable and uninterrupted electricity, safe drinking water, fair compensation, employment, and a transparent resettlement policy. These demands were raised on the first day of the two-day Sindh Energy and Climate Conference held at a local hotel on Tuesday, which brought together policymakers, government representatives, energy experts, climate activists, civil society organizations, politicians, and affected communities.
Participants stated that access to affordable, uninterrupted electricity should be recognized as a fundamental right, and that communities living in energy-producing areas must not be deprived of its benefits. The conference was jointly organized by Sath, The Knowledge Forum, the Climate Action Centre, the Civil Society Support Programme, Partners in Development Consultancy, Indus Consortium, and the Policy Research Institute for Equitable Development (PRIED).
Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Qasim Siraj Soomro said the Sindh government is pursuing energy projects seriously across the province. He stated that the Chief Minister has made it clear that royalties from Thar coal projects will be spent specifically on the development of Thar's local areas.
He admitted that safe drinking water remains a major challenge and agreed that most reverse osmosis (RO) plants in Thar are not functioning properly. Community representatives questioned the government's claims.
Abdul Aziz Qadri of Thario Halepoto village said his village of around 160 people has received no jobs despite major energy projects nearby. He questioned where royalty payments are going and noted that no clear resettlement plan has been shared.
He also warned that open dumping is exposing residents to diseases, including tuberculosis, and complained that community representatives are invited to events for photographs while their problems remain unresolved. Deedar Bheel highlighted the problem of wastewater disposal near villages, particularly Dhukarcho.
He alleged that stakeholders have not consulted residents to date, even though the issue has persisted since 2018. He added that a wastewater pipeline has been laid through a local graveyard, and that villagers who protested faced an FIR instead of redressal.
Social activist Housh Mohammad Mango from Sanghar said oil and gas exploration has polluted drinking water sources and damaged traditional ones, with reports of cancer and skin diseases among residents. Senior journalist Sohail Sangi said the benefits of development appeared concentrated around the coal fields rather than reaching the wider population.
Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam's Professor Dr. Ismail Kumbhar called for the protection of the environmental, social, economic, and cultural rights of affected communities. In his welcome remarks, Mustafa Talpur of Partners in Development Consultancy emphasized the need for inclusive energy policies.