KARACHI: A coal crisis in Pakistan, which was apprehended owing to India stopping its supplies, has been successfully averted. The Government of Pakistan have finalised deals for immediate shipments of 195,000 tons of coal from Europe, while allocations of another 900,000 tons are expected during the next few months. Steps have also been taken to step up appreciably the indigenous production of coal in Pakistan.

A Press note issued by the Ministry of Industries on Friday [Jan 13] announced that the Government `have purchased` 85,000 tons of coal from Poland, 60,000 tons from the UK and 50,000 tons from France.

Shipments would start immediately.

France has offered another 300,000 tons of coal to Pakistan and the Government were negotiating for 400,000 tons from Poland [and] 200,000 tons from the UK, allocations of which are likely within the next few months, the Press note added. Coal from Europe will cost Rs 10 per ton more than the Indian coal, but the price factor, according to experts, would be offset by the superior quality of the slow-burning European coal.

Staff correspondent