Ex-HEC chairman Javaid Laghari highlights importance of Thar coal ash, lithium research during MUET visit

HYDERABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Jun, 2026) Former Chairman of the Higher education Commission (HEC) and alumnus of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET) Dr Javaid Laghari visited the university on Thursday.

During the visit, Dr Laghari held a detailed interaction with faculty members, administrative officers and students.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Tuaha Hussain Ali briefed him on the university’s academic and research progress. He said that Mehran University was actively supporting relevant institutions in addressing water, environmental and energy challenges in the country. He also highlighted the university’s significant contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating floods in Sindh, adding that MUET had made notable progress in both teaching and research fields.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Javaid Laghari said that he belonged to the era when Mehran University was a college of the University of Sindh and his degree was also issued by the University of Sindh. He appreciated the university’s work on Thar coal and stressed the need for further research and stronger engagement with alumni.

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He recalled that he had previously conducted written work on Lakhra and Thar coal and emphasized that research should also explore other minerals available in these regions. He underlined that universities play a vital role in research and innovation.

Dr Laghari noted that coal ash from Thar contains valuable minerals and requires further scientific study. He added that the world was rapidly changing and technological advancement was transforming various sectors, highlighting that Thar coal ash was highly valuable and that lithium was also present in Thar, which was increasingly in global demand.

He further said that he would participate in an exhibition in Islamabad in September, where the prime minister will award top performers, urging MUET to actively take part in the event.

Later, Dr Laghari also visited the university’s water centre and appreciated its laboratories, institutional standards and ongoing work.

The visit was attended by Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Anil Kumar, Registrar Dr. Nasrullah Pirzada, deans of various faculties and heads of teaching departments.