Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: X
ISLAMABAD:
The federal government would bear the cost of a 100 megawatt solar power project for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), 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 speed up work on the project and ensure its completion at the earliest possible time. He also ordered independent third-party validation at all stages of implementation to ensure transparency.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Finance 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 GB.
According to the briefing, an 18-megawatt (MW) solar power project was implemented for government buildings across the region.
Solarization of government buildings in Gilgit and Diamer divisions is expected to be completed by December 2026, while work in Baltistan division is scheduled to be completed by October 2026.
Officials also informed the meeting that work was underway on an 82MW solar power project for households in Gilgit, Skardu, Chilas and Khaplu.
Natural resources
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to tackling land degradation, desertification and drought and stressed the need for collective action to protect and restore the country’s natural resources in the face of growing climate challenges.
In a message issued on the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought observed this year under the theme “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore”, the Prime Minister said Pakistan joined the international community and renewed its resolve to address environmental degradation and promote sustainable land management.
He noted that rangelands play a crucial role in ensuring food security, conserving biodiversity, strengthening climate resilience, managing water resources and supporting sustainable agriculture.
The Prime Minister described Pakistan’s vast mountain areas as valuable natural assets that support livestock-based livelihoods and the rural economy, while contributing to the conservation of biodiversity and ecological balance.
Highlighting the country’s vulnerability to climate change, he said rising temperatures, prolonged dry spells, water scarcity and land degradation pose significant threats to agricultural productivity and national food security.
“The Government of Pakistan is fully committed to addressing these challenges through a comprehensive strategy that focuses on soil restoration, sustainable rangeland management, afforestation, ecosystem restoration initiatives, drought mitigation and active community participation,” he said.
Shehbaz also highlighted the federal government’s “Zarkhaiz Scheme” launched to strengthen and modernize the agricultural economy. Under the initiative, farmers are provided with interest-free loans to help improve and protect farmland productivity.
He said substantial resources had been allocated under the scheme for the benefit of millions of small farmers across the country. In addition to financial assistance, the program offers grants for agricultural machinery aimed at increasing productivity while promoting sustainable land management practices.
The Prime Minister called on federal and provincial governments, relevant institutions, academia, civil society organizations, the private sector and local communities to intensify cooperation on the protection, restoration and sustainable management of land resources.
He said that through afforestation, collective action and close cooperation, Pakistan could strengthen its resilience to climate change and ensure a stable and prosperous future for generations to come.
The Prime Minister concluded by calling on all stakeholders to renew their commitment to protect and restore the country’s fertile lands, forests and natural mountain areas.
