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 of the initiative in Islamabad, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The Prime Minister asked officials to expedite work on the project and ensure its completion as soon as possible. It also ordered independent third-party validation at all stages of implementation to ensure transparency.
Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Economy Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Energy 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 Britain.
According to the release, an 18 megawatt (MW) solar power project was being implemented for government buildings in the area.
Solarization of government buildings in Gilgit and Diamer divisions is expected to be completed by December 2026, while work in Baltistan division is expected to be completed by October 2026.
The officials also informed the meeting that work was underway on an 82 MW solar power project for households in Gilgit, Skardu, Chilas and Khaplu.
Natural resources
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to combating land degradation, desertification and drought, and highlighted the need for collective action to protect and restore the country’s natural resources in the face of growing climate challenges.
In a message published on the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, celebrated this year under the theme “Pathways: recognize.
He noted that rangelands play a crucial role in ensuring food security, conserving biodiversity, building climate resilience, managing water resources and supporting sustainable agricultural livelihoods.
The Prime Minister described Pakistan’s vast rangelands as valuable natural assets that support livestock-based livelihoods and the rural economy while contributing to biodiversity conservation and ecological balance.
Highlighting the country’s vulnerability to climate change, he said rising temperatures, prolonged periods of drought, water scarcity and land degradation posed significant threats to agricultural productivity and national food security.
“The Government of Pakistan is fully committed to addressing these challenges through a comprehensive strategy focused on land restoration, sustainable rangeland management, afforestation, ecosystem restoration initiatives, drought mitigation and active participation of local communities,” he said.
Shehbaz also highlighted the federal government’s ‘Zarkhaiz Programme’, launched to strengthen and modernize the agricultural economy. Under this initiative, farmers benefit from interest-free loans to help improve and protect the productivity of agricultural land.
He said substantial resources had been allocated under the program to benefit millions of small farmers across the country. In addition to financial assistance, the program provides grants on agricultural machinery aimed at improving productivity while encouraging sustainable land management practices.
The Prime Minister urged the federal and provincial governments, relevant institutions, academia, civil society organizations, the private sector and local communities to intensify collaboration for 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 future generations.
The Prime Minister concluded by urging all stakeholders to renew their commitment to safeguarding and restoring the country’s fertile lands, forests and rangelands.
