Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed that the 100-megawatt solar power project in Gilgit-Baltistan be completed within a year, pledging to personally oversee its progress.
The directive came during a review meeting held in Islamabad on Tuesday, following the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council’s (ECNEC) recent approval of the scheme. The Prime Minister stressed that the project would be given top priority to deliver uninterrupted, low-cost, and environmentally friendly electricity to the region.
He instructed that all infrastructure be climate-resilient and emphasized that transparency would be ensured at every stage. Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that the federal government will fully finance the project, which is expected to drastically cut the region’s power outages—currently lasting up to 20 hours a day—and extend supply to remote areas.
According to the plan, six solar parks will be established in Gilgit, eight in Skardu, and six in Diamer. In addition, 234 buildings in Gilgit, 179 in Skardu, and 68 in Diamer will receive solar installations. The project will also incorporate battery storage for backup supply and a real-time monitoring system meeting international standards.
Calling solarization the most practical solution for Gilgit-Baltistan’s energy needs, the Prime Minister underlined the importance of integrating renewable sources into Pakistan’s energy mix to combat climate change. “Lighting up Gilgit-Baltistan is not just an infrastructure project; it is a lifeline for its people,” he said.
He further directed that both hydel and solar generation in the region be structured to ensure an uninterrupted supply during extreme weather conditions.
The steering committee for the project will be headed by Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Owais Khan Leghari. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal and Ahad Khan Cheema, PM’s Coordinator Musharraf Zaidi, renewable energy expert Dr. Gerwin Dreesmann, and other senior officials.
