Prime Minister’s free solar scheme begins in GB with digital ballot

GILGIT -- The caretaker government of Gilgit-Baltistan on Thursday launched the initial phase of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s flagship free solar panel distribution programme, kicking off with a fully digital and transparent lottery draw for eligible applicants in Gilgit district.

Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Yar Muhammad presided over the ceremony and described the initiative as a “historic breakthrough” that promises to transform the region’s chronic power shortages into reliable, clean energy access for households and small businesses alike.

“This scheme is not merely a relief measure; it is a revolutionary step towards sustainable development in Gilgit-Baltistan,” Justice Yar Muhammad told the gathering. “By harnessing solar power on this scale, we are addressing decades-old electricity deficits while advancing environmental goals in one of the most climate-vulnerable regions of the country.”

The programme will install solar systems totalling approximately 58 megawatts across the region. Around 40MW has been reserved for domestic consumers, with the remaining 18MW earmarked for small enterprises and IT-linked businesses. Solar panels procured under the scheme have already reached Gilgit-Baltistan from Karachi, and field-level installation work is progressing at a brisk pace, officials said.

To eliminate any possibility of favouritism or irregularities, beneficiary selection is being carried out through a modern digital balloting system. “Transparency, merit and equal opportunity remain the cornerstones of this government’s approach,” the chief minister emphasised.

Provincial ministers Sajid Ali Beg, Engineer Altaf Hussain and Syed Adil Shah, who addressed the media following the event, welcomed the federal intervention as a long-overdue lifeline for the region. They underscored its importance in curbing load-shedding, reducing dependence on expensive and unreliable grid power, and contributing to Pakistan’s broader transition to renewable energy amid rising global climate pressures.

Additional Chief Secretary Mushtaq Ahmad informed participants that the entire distribution process is being supervised by the Minister for Energy with stringent transparency safeguards. All seven districts of Gilgit-Baltistan have been included on an equitable footing. The neediest households — identified through verified Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) data — will receive complete off-grid solar kits, including panels, batteries and inverters, entirely free of cost.

A dedicated oversight framework under the Project Monitoring and Reforms Unit (PMRU) has been put in place to monitor progress and ensure fair allocation at every stage. The first digital draw was successfully completed in Gilgit district on Thursday in full public view. Parallel lotteries were under way the same day in Nagar, Hunza and Ghizer, with Astore and Diamer scheduled to follow shortly. The remaining districts in the Baltistan division will be covered in subsequent phases.

Government spokesperson Shabbir Mir said the overriding objective is to deliver the solar systems to genuine beneficiaries in a demonstrably just and open manner. He expressed deep appreciation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for conceiving and funding what he called “one of the most impactful development interventions” ever launched for Gilgit-Baltistan.

Officials expect the scheme — together with a parallel 100MW grid-connected solarisation project — to markedly improve power availability, lower carbon emissions and support economic activity in tourism, small industry and agriculture across the mountainous territory. Applications were processed through official online portals and district administration offices, with eligibility strictly tied to verified socio-economic data.