Centre to bear cost of 100MW solar power project in G-B: PM Shehbaz

The federal government would bear the cost of a 100-megawatt solar power project for Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday while chairing a review meeting in Islamabad on the initiative, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The prime minister directed officials to accelerate work on the project and ensure its completion at the earliest possible date. He also ordered independent third-party validation at all stages of implementation to ensure transparency.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Power Minister Awais Leghari, Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs Amir Muqam, and senior government officials attended the meeting.

During the meeting, officials briefed the prime minister on the progress of the federal government’s solar energy initiatives in G-B.

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According to the briefing, an 18-megawatt (MW) solar energy project was being implemented for government buildings across the region.

The solarisation of government buildings in the Gilgit and Diamer divisions is expected to be completed by December 2026, while work in the Baltistan division is scheduled to be completed by October 2026.

Officials also informed the meeting that work was underway on an 82MW solar energy project for households in Gilgit, Skardu, Chilas, and Khaplu.