PM orders faster work on 100MW solar project in GB

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed authorities to speed up work on a 100-megawatt solar power project in Gilgit-Baltistan, with the Prime Minister’s Office saying the federal government will cover the cost of the scheme.

The direction came during a meeting in Islamabad chaired by the prime minister to review progress on the project, according to a PMO statement. The statement said he asked officials to ensure the project is completed at the earliest and ordered an independent third-party validation process to maintain transparency at every stage.

Officials told the meeting that an 18MW solarisation project for government buildings is being implemented across the region. Under that plan, work in Gilgit and Diamer divisions is scheduled for completion by December, while the project for government buildings in Baltistan division is expected to be finished by October, the statement said.

The meeting was also informed that work is in progress on an 82MW solar energy project for households in Gilgit, Skardu, Chilas and Khaplo. According to the PMO statement, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council had approved the 100MW project for Gilgit-Baltistan in August 2025, and Prime Minister Shehbaz formally cleared it in December to help provide uninterrupted, affordable and sustainable electricity to the region.