Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the swift completion of a 100-megawatt solar power scheme in Gilgit-Baltistan within a year, promising close personal oversight of the undertaking. Following recent approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), the Prime Minister chaired a review session, emphasizing the urgent need for the program to deliver consistent, affordable, and sustainable electricity to the area.

He mandated that all associated infrastructure should be robust enough to withstand climate change impacts and pledged complete transparency throughout the construction phase. The federal government will fully finance the venture, which aims to substantially curtail the region’s extended power outages of up to 20 hours daily and bring electricity to isolated communities.

The blueprint calls for the establishment of six solar farms in Gilgit, eight in Skardu, and six in Diamer. Furthermore, 234 structures in Gilgit, 179 in Skardu, and 68 in Diamer will receive solar panels. The initiative also incorporates battery storage for reserve power and a real-time monitoring framework adhering to global benchmarks.

The Prime Minister championed solar power as the most practical answer to Gilgit-Baltistan’s energy demands, underscoring the importance of incorporating renewable sources into Pakistan’s energy blend to combat climate change. He described electrifying Gilgit-Baltistan as a vital lifeline for its residents, not merely an infrastructure development. He also instructed that regional hydel and solar power production be organized to guarantee uninterrupted service even during severe weather.

Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Owais Khan Leghari will lead the project’s steering committee. Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal and Ahad Khan Cheema, PM’s Coordinator Musharraf Zaidi, renewable energy specialist Dr. Gerwin Dreesmann, and other high-ranking officials attended the conference.