The PTI chief, more often than not, uses ‘statistics’ that are, upon closer inspection, factually inaccurate.
ST LOUIS, MO, US: This is with reference to Kamran Shafi’s article of November 4 titled “Welcome, Imran”. The PTI chief, more often than not, uses ‘statistics’ that are, upon closer inspection, factually inaccurate. Take the case, for instance, of his argument that Pakistan needs to develop its Thar coal reserves if it is to achieve self-reliance in energy.
I have heard numerous PTI supporters and members talk about Thar coal as some kind of a unique asset that is only available to Pakistanis and only discovered by Imran Khan (and of course Dr Samar Mubarakmand). They think that using these reserves will somehow allow Pakistan to stand up to America and look into its eyes without any fear.
The fact is that Pakistan’s coal reserves constitute a mere 0.3 per cent of the world’s proven coal reserves. Compared to this, America has 22.6 per cent. Despite this fact, the PTI and its members continue to act as if exploiting Thar’s coal is something that is crucial for Pakistan’s very survival.
Sajid I Bharcha
Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2011.
