58 MW of solar systems to be allocated to households and small businesses under government initiative
Acting Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Justice (R) Yar Muhammad officially inaugurated the digital lottery in Gilgit on March 12, 2026 (Screenshot)
The federal government’s free solar program took off in Gilgit on Thursday with a digital lottery to select applicants for the program, according to an official statement.
Acting Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Justice (R) Yar Muhammad, officially inaugurated the lottery, which uses a transparent digital system to ensure fair selection of beneficiaries.
Under this program, a total of 58 megawatts (MW) of solar systems will be provided, including 40 MW for domestic users and 18 MW for small businesses and IT-related organizations.
Faced with chronic power outages, communities in Gilgit-Baltistan are increasingly turning to solar energy to tide over the region’s power crisis.
Read: ECNEC gives green light to 100 MW solar project for Gilgit-Baltistan
Pilot projects such as the Accelerate Clean Energy (ACE) initiative, supported by AKRSP and HBL Microfinance Bank, have provided household rooftop solar systems, enabling stable electricity for daily tasks, education and domestic use, according to the release.
Beyond homes, solar energy is used to support local economies and agriculture. Solar-powered digital technology centers, lift irrigation systems and passive solar greenhouses help maintain connectivity, grow crops and secure food supplies despite harsh winters and grid outages, he adds.
The statement further said that these initiatives, along with more than 160 micro hydropower plants providing 18 MW to more than 30,000 homes, demonstrate the region’s potential for decentralized and climate-resilient energy solutions.
Provincial ministers welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important step to benefit the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
GB Additional Chief Secretary Mushtaq Ahmed said the scheme aims to promote alternative energy, reduce power crisis and support eco-friendly energy solutions, while ensuring equitable distribution to eligible applicants.
He added that the project would also contribute to the economic and social development of the region, highlighting its importance in combating energy shortages and promoting sustainable growth.
Learn more: PM orders 100MW solar project in Britain to be completed within a year
The UK government has proposed a strategic distribution and transmission plan for 144,875 solar panels with a cumulative production capacity of 58.8 MW, divided into four main streams.
During discussions at a recent meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, Britain and border states and regions presented the background of the proposal. The UK’s chief secretary backed the plan, citing unprecedented load shedding and environmental concerns as justification.
The FBR clarified that under the Customs Act, 1969, confiscated goods become the property of the federal government and their distribution can take place with official approval. The ECC decided that the consolidated transport and handling costs of Rs240.1 million would be borne by the UK government and subsequently recovered from the beneficiaries.
