Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a review meeting on Wednesday to discuss the proposed 100-megawatt solar power project aimed at Gilgit-Baltistan. He highlighted the importance of clean, affordable, and sustainable energy as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s national energy policy.
Describing the 100MW solar initiative as a federal government gift to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, the prime minister instructed the Power Division to ensure the project’s installation and completion within the designated timeline. He also emphasized the need for full transparency throughout the procurement process, mandating that all payments be made only after validation by an independent third party.
During the session, officials provided updates on the project’s progress, revealing plans to install rooftop solar systems with a total capacity of 18MW, including battery storage, across 499 government buildings by December 2026. Additionally, the project’s PC-I for an 82MW utility-scale solar installation has been submitted to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval.
Officials noted that the 82MW utility-scale solar project is expected to benefit approximately 1.3 million people throughout Gilgit-Baltistan by enhancing the quality and reliability of electricity supply. The completion of this initiative is anticipated to alleviate power shortages and play a significant role in ending load-shedding in the region.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, along with other senior government officials.