By Bader Al Hussain
Pakistan is blessed with fertile land, dynamic manpower and diversified landscape which ranges from world’s highest mountains in the north to the plains of Punjab, from sandy topography of Sindh and Baluchistan to the coastal areas. One also wonders an equal assortment in weather conditions which extends from negative 50 in the north to the positive 50 in the south.
As far as Pakistan’s natural resources are concerned, northern parts of Pakistan are shrouded by numerous varieties of minerals which includes peridot, aquamarine, topaz (various colours: violet and pink, golden and champagne), ruby, emerald, rare-earth minerals bastnaesite and xenotime, sphene, tourmaline, and many varieties and types of quartz.
Moreover, copper-gold reserves in Baluchistan which are initially estimated to be 250 billion dollars are also discovered. Baluchistan is rich in other minerals such as marble, coal, oil and gas etc. But the problem remains the prevailing law and order situation which could be made better by giving legitimate rights to the deprived and impoverished people of this largest province of Pakistan.
In addition to that, unearthing of coal from Thar is another prodigious breakthrough. According to Dr. Samar Mubarakmand, a distinguished nuclear scientist of Pakistan said at an occasion that besides producing cheaper electricity, 100 million barrel diesel and gas could be produced through Thar-coal which would be sufficient for 30 years. According to some sources, we can generate about 100,000 MW of electricity for 300 years.
Thar coal reserves have 175 billion tonnes of coal, which is equivalent to 618 billion barrels of crude oil recently informed by VC of The University of the Punjab. Following is the list of top 5 oil reserve countries of the world:
Country Reserves (bbl) Production/day (mbl) Reserve life (yr)
Saudi Arabia 260 8.8 81
Canada 179 2.7 182
Iran 136 3.9 96
Iraq 115 3.7 85
Kuwait 99 2.5 108
175 billion tons of Thar according to Professor Dr Mujahid Kamran equal 618 billion barrels of crude oil.
This is more than twice if we compare it with oil reserves of KSA and equal to total oil reserves of top 4 countries.
If like KSA, we utilize about 10 million of it per day, it would suffice for more than 200 years. Not to forget other resources that Pakistan have when compared with KSA. For example, we have largest gold/copper ore deposits at Saindak (Baluchistan) dying to be exploited.
Under the barren mountains of Baluchistan and hot sands of Sindh, there is unlimited amount of oil and gas reserves not touched yet. And still further, we have furtile lands of Punjab, ready to feed a population twice as big as we are now, the best irrigation system (waiting for more water reservoirs to enrich it), and the best quality cotton and rice.
In Pakistan, about 63% of the population is under 25 years of age. In other words, Pakistan has energetic, indefatigable and young population. This segment has to shape the future of Pakistan. No doubt, Pakistan is going through tiring times but, on the bright side, the juvenescence of this country is getting ready and resilient to confront boldly the future challenges of the world which would be faster, complicated, informative and dynamic than today.
In a novel “Moths Smoke”, written by Mohsin Hamid, Phoenix is mentioned; Phoenix is a mythical bird having life cycle of 500 to 1000 years and at one point of time it burns and reborn. But in Moth’s Smoke Prof. Julius Superb writes in an article that after phoenix is re-created by the fire its funeral pyre, it could either emerge as a stronger creature in a young new body or transform into soulless shadow of its former being. Today, as in Pakistan the transition would be taking place from old lethargic and inept leaders to a new dynamic, energetic and more patriotic juvenile community, it is up to this very wedge of the population to make up this state which is failing in its duties, tasks and governance or to maintain the status quo.
It is appropriately said by Imran Khan that Pakistan has touched its rock bottom and it is a time to rise and show to the world, what truly a great nation we are. Just as Ali Moeen Nawazish has made a world record it by scoring 21 As out of 23 subjects that he had opted in A’ levels and by following the suit Ibrahim Shahid also made world record by attaining 23 As in 24 subjects in the Cambridge examination. Moreover, there are many more examples could be quoted, followed and inspired from.Hence, it is rightly said Pakistan is not a poor country but it is a poorly managed country.
The writer is currently a student at NBS (Nust Business School)
Nevertheless, Pakistan has immense geo-strategic importance because of which it is said to be a playing ground for numerous secret agencies of the world’s powerful nations in order to pursue their interests. The game is being played in our fields, we as a future of Pakistan should know who these players are and what the score is. 
