ISLAMABAD: Promoting clean and affordable energy through solar power has been highlighted as a cornerstone of the national energy policy by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. During a meeting held in Islamabad concerning the 100 MW solar power project in Gilgit-Baltistan, the Prime Minister underscored the significance of this initiative as a gift from the federal government to the region.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister directed the Power Division to ensure the timely completion of the project, emphasizing the importance of complete transparency in the procurement process. He insisted that all payments should be made only after third-party validation.

The meeting provided an update on the progress of the Gilgit-Baltistan solar power project. It was noted that, as part of the project, eighteen MW of rooftop solar systems, including battery storage, are set to be installed on four hundred and ninety-nine government buildings by December. Additionally, it was reported that the PC-I for the 82 MW utility-scale solar project has been submitted to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval, which is expected to benefit approximately 1.3 million people.