Bilawal to inaugurate second phase of Sindh solar home systems project in Larkana

LARKANA: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah are set to inaugurate the second phase of the provincial government’s Solar Home Systems (SHS) project on Wednesday in Larkana, according to details shared ahead of the event.

The inauguration ceremony is scheduled to take place at Jinnah Bagh in Larkana. Lawmakers, government officials, media representatives and beneficiaries of the scheme are expected to attend the programme. The proceedings will also be broadcast live for viewers across all districts of Larkana division.

Preparations for the launch were reviewed in a preliminary online meeting held on Monday under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Syed Asif Haider Shah. During the meeting, Energy Secretary Shahab Qamar briefed participants on the project and arrangements for the inauguration ceremony.

Officials who joined the meeting included the commissioners of Larkana and Sukkur divisions, while the deputy commissioners of Larkana, Qambar-Shahdadkot, Shikarpur and Khairpur participated through video link.

Project scope and implementation

Under the project, 275,000 solar energy systems are to be distributed among deserving households across Sindh. The systems would be provided to 275,000 households in rural areas of the province as part of an initiative aimed at supplying clean and sustainable energy to underserved communities.

Larkana Deputy Commissioner Tariq Manzoor Chandio said that 10,000 solar home systems would be installed in Larkana district alone over the next 20 months.

The project is being implemented by the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) in partnership with the Sindh Rural Support Organisation (SRSO), which will execute the initiative.

Beneficiaries will be identified through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) database, and applications will be invited from households that meet the eligibility criteria.

Focus on rural households

The second phase of the SHS project is part of the Sindh government’s effort to expand access to solar-powered energy solutions in rural areas. According to the details shared before the launch, the programme is intended to support deserving families by providing home-based solar systems as an alternative source of electricity.

The launch in Larkana is expected to mark the formal start of the next stage of distribution under the scheme, with district administrations and provincial authorities involved in coordinating implementation and outreach.