PM Pushes Fast-Track 100MW Solar Power Project for Gilgit-Baltistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to speed up work on a 100-megawatt solar power project in Gilgit-Baltistan, placing the federal government’s energy initiative for the mountainous region back in the national spotlight. The instruction was issued during a review meeting in Islamabad, where officials briefed the premier on progress, timelines and implementation challenges linked to the project.

The prime minister told the relevant departments that the scheme should be completed at the earliest possible stage, stressing that energy access in Gilgit-Baltistan remains a priority for the Centre. The project is being positioned as a major step toward improving electricity availability in a region where difficult terrain, scattered settlements and seasonal demand often complicate power supply.

According to the official briefing, the 100MW programme includes solarisation of public buildings as well as household-level solar power support in key towns and districts. Officials informed the meeting that an 18MW component is already being implemented for government buildings across Gilgit-Baltistan, while an 82MW component is aimed at providing solar energy support for homes in Gilgit, Skardu, Chilas and Khaplu.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also ordered independent third-party validation at every stage of the scheme, saying transparency must remain central to implementation. The federal government, he said, would bear the cost of the project, a commitment that is likely to ease pressure on the Gilgit-Baltistan administration and allow work to continue without major provincial-level financing hurdles.

The meeting was attended by senior federal ministers and officials, including Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Power Minister Awais Leghari and Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam. Their presence reflected the project’s cross-ministerial nature, involving planning, financing, power distribution and regional coordination.

Officials told the prime minister that solarisation work for government buildings in the Gilgit and Diamer divisions is expected to be completed by December 2026. The Baltistan division component is scheduled for completion by October 2026, giving authorities a phased timeline to expand solar energy coverage across public-sector buildings before scaling wider household benefits.

The project has been under federal consideration for months. In August 2025, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved the 100MW power initiative for Gilgit-Baltistan, and in December the prime minister formally cleared it to support uninterrupted, affordable and sustainable electricity supply for the region.

For Gilgit-Baltistan, the initiative carries significance beyond energy generation. Reliable power can improve schools, hospitals, tourism services, small businesses and digital connectivity in areas where outages and limited supply can disrupt daily life. Solar energy is also seen as a practical option for remote valleys where extending conventional grid infrastructure can be expensive and technically difficult.

The next phase will depend on how quickly departments meet implementation deadlines, complete validation requirements and coordinate with local authorities. If delivered on schedule, the project could become a model for expanding clean energy access in remote parts of Pakistan while reducing dependence on costly and unreliable power sources.