President witnesses MoU signing for Pakistan’s first coal-to-fertiliser initiative during Shanghai visit.
President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday witnessed the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Shanghai for Pakistan’s first coal gasification and fertiliser project based on Thar coal.
The agreement was inked between MFTC Coal Gasification & Manufacturing (Pvt) Ltd, represented by CEO Shahid Tawawalla, and Sino Sindh Resources (Private) Ltd / Shanghai Electric, represented by CEO Lin Jigen. Officials present included Sindh’s Minister for Information and Transport Sharjeel Memon, Minister for Planning, Development and Energy Syed Nasir Shah, China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi.
According to the President Secretariat Press Wing, the project will not only contribute to Pakistan’s energy needs but also provide vital support to the agriculture sector through fertiliser production.
Earlier, President Zardari visited Shanghai Electric’s facilities along with First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Senator Saleem Mandviwalla. During the visit, Chairman of Shanghai Electric Wu Lei briefed the president on the company’s ongoing projects in Pakistan, including its role in Thar coal, nuclear energy, and coal-fired power plants.
President Zardari thanked Shanghai Electric for contributing to Pakistan’s energy security, generating employment, and supporting socio-economic development. He emphasised the importance Pakistan attaches to the Thar coal project and highlighted the potential of coal gasification.
He also invited Shanghai Electric to explore investment in the modernisation of Pakistan’s transmission and distribution network, assuring that any outstanding issues would be resolved amicably in a spirit of cooperation.
The company’s CEO expressed gratitude to the government of Pakistan for ensuring the security of its employees. In response, President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening security measures to provide a safe and conducive environment for Chinese workers.
Founded in 1902, Shanghai Electric is one of China’s leading equipment manufacturers, recognised globally for its innovations in energy, power, and industrial systems.
