58 MW of solar systems will be allocated for homes and small businesses under the government’s initiative
Gilgit-Baltistan Acting Chief Minister Justice (R) Yar Muhammad officially inaugurated the digital lottery in Gilgit on March 12, 2026 (screenshot)
The federal government’s free solar scheme took off in Gilgit on Thursday with a digital lottery to select applicants for the programme, according to an official statement.
Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Acting Chief Minister of Justice (R) Yar Muhammad officially inaugurated the lottery, which employs a transparent digital system to ensure fair selection of beneficiaries.
Under the plan, a total of 58 megawatts (MW) of solar systems will be provided, including 40 MW for home users and 18 MW for small businesses and IT-related organizations.
Facing chronic power outages, communities in Gilgit-Baltistan are increasingly turning to solar energy to overcome the region’s electricity 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 solar systems on the rooftops of homes, enabling constant electricity for daily tasks, education and domestic use, the statement said.
Beyond homes, solar energy is used to support local economies and agriculture. Solar-powered digital technology hubs, lift irrigation systems and passive solar greenhouses are helping to maintain connectivity, grow crops and secure food supplies despite harsh winters and grid failures, he added.
The statement further states that these initiatives, together with more than 160 micro hydropower plants supplying 18 MW to more than 30,000 homes, demonstrate the region’s potential for decentralized and climate-resilient energy solutions.
The provincial ministers welcomed the initiative and described it as an important step for the benefit of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
GB Additional Chief Secretary Mushtaq Ahmed said the scheme aims to promote alternative energy, reduce electricity crisis and support environment-friendly energy solutions, while ensuring fair 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 addressing energy shortages and promoting sustainable growth.
Read more: PM orders completion of 100 MW GB solar project within a year
The British government has proposed a strategic distribution and transportation 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 GB chief secretary supported 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 be done with official approval. The ECC decided that the consolidated transportation and handling cost of Rs 240.1 million would be borne by the UK government and subsequently recovered from the beneficiaries.
