Govt to Distribute Seized Solar Panels in Designated Cities: PM Orders
The Government of Pakistan has decided to distribute solar panels seized by Customs in Karachi to designated cities across the country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Power Division, and the Gilgit-Baltistan government to prepare a complete mechanism for fair and transparent distribution.
These solar panels were earlier confiscated during customs operations, but instead of keeping them unused in warehouses, the government has now decided to utilize them for public benefit. According to Business Recorder, a formal distribution ceremony will also be organized, which the Prime Minister is expected to attend personally.
This major development was announced during a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where he reviewed the country’s renewable energy progress, especially focusing on Gwadar’s power supply situation and the advancement of 100 MW solar power projects in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Focus on Gwadar: Government Calls Power Supply a Critical Priority
Gwadar is one of the most important strategic and economic regions of Pakistan, but it has long suffered from electricity shortage and unreliable power supply. The city largely depends on imported electricity from Iran and often faces outages affecting industries, businesses, and daily life.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared the 40 MW power plant in Gwadar as a strategic project. He directed authorities to submit all necessary approvals to the federal cabinet within two weeks so that the project can move forward without any delay.
Declaring it a strategic project means the government will now treat this project as a national priority, ensuring faster approvals, dedicated support, and urgent implementation. This step reflects the government’s intention to stabilize Gwadar’s energy system to support CPEC activities, economic operations, and residential needs.
Solarization of Pumping Stations and Desalination Plants to Be Accelerated
One of the biggest challenges in Gwadar is not just electricity shortage, but also the availability of clean drinking water. Many pumping stations and desalination plants struggle due to inconsistent power supply, leading to water shortages for the local population.
To solve this, the Prime Minister directed authorities to speed up the solarization of:
- Water pumping stations
- Desalination plants
- Other essential facilities
He asked the Power Division to review existing timelines, cut delays, and support the Balochistan government in design, bidding, and execution. Converting these critical facilities to solar energy will:
- Reduce operational costs
- Reduce dependency on unstable electricity sources
- Ensure continuous water supply
- Improve living conditions for the people of Gwadar
This approach also supports Pakistan’s broader renewable energy vision, helping shift away from expensive fuel-based power generation.
Major Push for Solar Energy Projects in Gilgit-Baltistan
Along with Gwadar, the meeting also focused heavily on renewable energy development in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). The Prime Minister reviewed progress on the 100 MW solar power project planned for the region, which holds great importance due to GB’s remote terrain and limited power infrastructure.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed authorities to present the results of the rooftop solar project bidding process directly to him before awarding any contracts. This step has been taken to ensure maximum transparency, fairness, and accountability in the project.
He further directed that third-party validation must be conducted to check technical accuracy, project feasibility, and financial transparency. The Prime Minister wants independent verification to ensure that every step is credible and beneficial for the people.
Splitting Projects to Increase Competition and Speed Up Work
Pakistan has often faced delays in large infrastructure projects due to complicated bidding processes, limited competition, and slow implementation. To avoid such issues, the Prime Minister has instructed the Power Division to consider dividing the 82 MW utility-scale solar component into smaller lots.
By splitting the project into parts:
- More companies can participate in bidding
- Competition will increase
- Project costs may reduce
- Work can progress faster
- Risk will be divided instead of being stuck with one contractor
This decision reflects a strategic and practical approach toward development projects, ensuring both efficiency and transparency.
At the same time, the Chief Secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan has been tasked to ensure timely provision of land and fast completion of related non-solar infrastructure. This will help avoid bureaucratic delays and ensure smooth implementation.
Public Awareness Campaign to Inform Local Communities
The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of public awareness. He directed Federal Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari to brief Federal Information Minister Ataullah Tarar regarding the Gilgit-Baltistan 100 MW solar project.
The purpose of this briefing is to launch a structured public awareness campaign so that people of Gilgit-Baltistan clearly understand:
- Project goals and benefits
- Expected improvements in electricity supply
- Progress updates
- Implementation timelines
This step shows the government’s intention to keep people informed and engaged, reducing rumors and building trust among citizens.
Why Distribution of Seized Solar Panels Is Important
The decision to distribute seized solar panels instead of letting them remain unused is widely seen as a smart and people-friendly move. Pakistan is currently facing:
- High electricity costs
- Power shortages
- Increasing demand for renewable energy
- Economic pressure from fuel imports
Providing solar panels to institutions and eligible citizens can:
- Promote clean and affordable renewable energy
- Reduce load on the national grid
- Support underprivileged communities
- Encourage local solar adoption
- Provide immediate relief in different regions
Instead of wasting valuable resources, the government is converting them into productive assets.
Pakistan’s Shift Toward Renewable Energy
Over the past few years, Pakistan has increasingly focused on renewable energy, especially solar and wind, to reduce dependency on imported fuels. Solar energy is particularly useful for remote regions where traditional grid development is expensive and slow.
With initiatives like:
- Gwadar solar support
- Gilgit-Baltistan utility-scale projects
- Rooftop solar programs
- Solarization of government infrastructures
Pakistan is moving toward sustainable and long-term power solutions. These initiatives also support environmental protection by reducing carbon emissions.
Challenges Ahead and Expectations
While the directives from the Prime Minister are strong and encouraging, implementation will be the real test. Pakistan has previously faced issues like bureaucratic delays, funding challenges, slow approvals, and execution problems.
However, with clearer timelines, stronger monitoring, project splitting, and third-party verification, the government seems determined to overcome these barriers.
Citizens in Gwadar, Gilgit-Baltistan, and other designated cities are hopeful that these initiatives will finally deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity.
Conclusion – Govt to Distribute Seized Solar Panels in Designated Cities PM Orders
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to distribute seized solar panels and accelerate solar projects marks a major step toward improving Pakistan’s energy landscape. From stabilizing Gwadar’s strategic power needs to boosting renewable energy in Gilgit-Baltistan, these initiatives aim to bring real relief to people while promoting clean energy.
If successfully implemented, they will not only reduce Pakistan’s energy crisis but also strengthen economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability.
