PM orders completion of 100 MW solar project in GB

August 13, 2025 (MLN): To complete the one hundred megawatts solar project in Gilgit-Baltistan within a year, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has issued directives.

Chairing a meeting in Islamabad to review progress on the 100 MW Solar Project for Gilgit-Baltistan, the Prime Minister said he would personally supervise its implementation.

He emphasized that the project would be completed on a priority basis to ensure uninterrupted supply of low-cost, eco-friendly electricity to the region.

Shehbaz Sharif instructed that the entire infrastructure be made climate-resilient, with full funding to be provided by the federal government, as per the press release issued.

He stressed that the project holds critical importance in eliminating prolonged power outages in Gilgit and surrounding areas.

The Prime Minister noted that solarization is the most suitable solution for meeting electricity needs in Gilgit-Baltistan and other remote areas, helping to end load shedding of up to eighteen to twenty hours.

He highlighted that the project would deliver both affordable and environmentally friendly power, adding that renewable sources must be integrated into the energy mix to safeguard Pakistan from the harmful impacts of climate change.

He further directed that electricity from hydel and solar sources be ensured for Gilgit-Baltistan to reduce outages during severe weather conditions, and called for complete transparency in the project’s construction.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister appointed Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari as chairman of the Steering Committee overseeing the project.

The meeting was briefed that six solar parks would be built in Gilgit, eight in Skardu, and six in Diamer, along with solar installations on 234 buildings in Gilgit, 179 in Skardu, and 66 in Diamer.

A backup battery system with real-time monitoring is also being developed for the project.

Participants were informed about the project’s construction cost, deadlines, and the commitment to meeting international standards during execution.

It was recalled that during his recent visit to Gilgit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced that ECNEC would soon approve the 100 MW power plants for Gilgit-Baltistan.

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