Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has directed the fast-tracked implementation of a 100 megawatt solar project in Gilgit-Baltistan to address the region’s electricity shortage. The project, part of a broader development initiative, involves the simultaneous execution of solar, transmission, and road components, with an emphasis on maintaining ecological balance amid tourism expansion.

According to Press Information Department, the decision was made during the second meeting of the Prime Minister’s Committee, which reviews developmental concerns and formulates recommendations for accelerating Gilgit-Baltistan’s progress. The meeting focused on energy, tourism, and financing concerns, highlighting the nearing completion of the Naltar and Hanzel power projects and the need for a comprehensive approach to tourism regulation.

The solar project, valued at Rs24.9 billion, includes rooftop and utility-scale installations with corresponding transmission lines and access roads. Prof. Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the urgency of addressing Gilgit-Baltistan’s energy crisis and called for the federal and provincial components of the project to be executed concurrently.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the rapid growth of tourism in the region, urging the introduction of a taxation and regulatory framework to ensure sustainable development. A task force, potentially involving the Aga Khan Development Network, will conduct a study on the region’s tourism carrying capacity.

Financing constraints were also discussed, with the Planning Minister advocating for a financing framework akin to the National Finance Commission mechanism for equitable financial arrangements. The meeting concluded with a directive for an interim report on decisions and recommendations within two weeks, reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to Gilgit-Baltistan’s development needs.