Quetta: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has launched a significant initiative to convert agricultural tube wells in Balochistan to solar power, marking a major shift towards sustainable energy in the province’s farming sector. The initiative, part of a broader strategy to enhance agricultural efficiency and reduce energy costs, involves the solarization of approximately 28,000 tube wells, a project valued at 55 billion rupees.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the agreement for this initiative was signed in Quetta by the Federal and Balochistan governments. Prime Minister Sharif, alongside federal ministers, the Governor of Balochistan, and the Chief Minister, witnessed the signing. The project, funded seventy percent by the Federal Government and the remainder by the Balochistan Government, aims to save about 90 billion rupees annually on energy costs.

Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the project’s rapid timeline, with completion expected within three months. He highlighted the initiative’s role in ensuring uninterrupted water supply to farmers and its subsequent phase which will extend solarization to one million agricultural tube wells nationwide, potentially saving 3.5 billion dollars annually on imported fuel.

Additionally, the Prime Minister announced educational initiatives, including a ten percent quota for Balochistan’s students for professional training in agriculture in China and a similar quota for IT training under Huawei. These measures aim to equip Balochistan’s youth with skills crucial for regional and national development. The federal budget also includes allocations for establishing Danish Schools in Balochistan to further educational opportunities.

The initiative underscores a collaborative effort between the Federal and Balochistan governments toward sustainable development and prosperity in the province, with continued support promised by Prime Minister Sharif for Balochistan’s progress.