Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed that the 100 Megawatts Solar Project in Gilgit-Baltistan be completed within a year. He presided over a meeting in Islamabad to review the progress of this significant initiative. The Prime Minister emphasized his commitment to personally supervise the project to ensure its timely completion.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister stated that the Solar Project is a priority to provide an uninterrupted supply of low-cost, eco-friendly electricity in Gilgit-Baltistan. He instructed that the project’s infrastructure be made climate resilient and confirmed that the federal government would fully fund the project. The initiative is of utmost importance to eliminate prolonged power outages in the region.

The Prime Minister highlighted that solarization is the most viable solution to provide electricity to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and remote areas, aiming to relieve them from the burden of 18 to 20 hours of load shedding. The project will also offer an environmentally friendly energy solution to the residents. Shehbaz Sharif underscored the need to integrate renewable sources into Pakistan’s energy mix to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

He directed that the supply of electricity from hydel and solar sources be ensured in Gilgit-Baltistan to alleviate power outages during severe weather conditions. The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of transparency in the project’s construction.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari as the chairman of the Steering Committee responsible for the project. The meeting disclosed plans for the establishment of solar parks in multiple locations: six in Gilgit, eight in Skardu, and six in Diamer. Furthermore, solar installations will be secured on 234 buildings in Gilgit, 179 in Skardu, and 66 in Diamer.

The meeting was briefed on the project’s construction cost, deadline, and adherence to international standards. An advanced system for real-time monitoring and battery backup is being developed to ensure project efficiency. During his recent visit to Gilgit, the Prime Minister announced that the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) would soon approve 100 MW power plants for Gilgit-Baltistan.