Solar Relief for Gilgit-Baltistan: Federal Government Launches Rs 2 Billion Free Solar Panel & Inverter Scheme
A significant step toward addressing the chronic electricity crisis in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) has emerged through a major federal intervention aimed at promoting renewable energy access in the mountainous region. According to a video report circulating on social media on 11 February 2026, attributed to journalist Abdur Rehman Bokhari, the Federal Government has initiated a Rs 2 billion scheme for the free distribution of solar energy systems among the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The initiative is being viewed as a timely relief measure for a region that has for decades grappled with acute power shortages—particularly during the harsh winter months when hydropower generation declines sharply due to reduced water flows.
Addressing a Long-Standing Energy Crisis
Gilgit-Baltistan’s unique topography, dispersed settlements, and limited grid connectivity have historically constrained its power infrastructure. Reliance on seasonal hydel resources results in severe load-shedding, with some localities facing electricity outages extending up to 18–20 hours a day in winter.
In this context, solar electrification has increasingly been recognized as the most viable, sustainable, and climate-appropriate solution for household energy needs in the region.
Overwhelming Public Response
The gravity of the energy crisis confronting the local population became strikingly evident from the public response on the very first day of the scheme’s launch.
As reported, approximately 5,000 applications flowed in on day one alone. This extraordinary rush of submissions not only reflects the popularity of the initiative but also serves as a telling indicator of the scale of hardship faced by residents due to persistent electricity shortages. The volume of applications underscores the urgency with which households are seeking alternative and reliable energy solutions.
Scope of the Rs 2 Billion Scheme
Under the federal programme:
Solar panels will be distributed free of cost to approved domestic consumers.
The total financial outlay of the scheme is estimated at approximately Rs 2 billion.
The project seeks to provide basic household electricity relief, reduce reliance on overstretched hydropower, and promote clean energy adoption in off-grid and underserved areas.
The scheme is being implemented in coordination with the Gilgit-Baltistan administration, reflecting a joint federal-regional development effort.
District-Wise Allocation Framework
In an official briefing, the Additional Chief Secretary, Gilgit-Baltistan, presented the district-wise break-up of the allocated solar systems.
The distribution formula has reportedly been devised on the basis of:
Population size.
Intensity of electricity shortages.
Geographic remoteness.
Existing power infrastructure.
The objective is to ensure equitable access so that remote valleys and high-altitude communities receive proportionate benefit alongside urban centres such as Gilgit and Skardu.
Inverters Included — Batteries to Be Purchased by Beneficiaries
A notable feature of the scheme is the inclusion of free inverters along with the solar panels.
However, beneficiaries will be required to procure batteries at their own expense.
This cost-sharing arrangement is intended to:
Reduce the financial burden on the public exchequer.
Encourage consumer ownership and responsibility.
Allow households to select battery capacity according to their individual energy requirements and affordability.
Eligibility Criteria and Disqualifications
To ensure transparency and responsible utilization, the government has introduced specific eligibility conditions:
1. Electricity Bill Payment Compliance
Applicants who have defaulted on electricity bill payments will not qualify for the scheme. The measure is aimed at fostering payment discipline and preventing misuse of state-funded facilities.
2. Mandatory Electricity Meters
Households lacking installed electricity meters will also be deemed ineligible. This condition enables verification of genuine consumers and helps integrate beneficiaries into the formal electricity management system.
Socio-Economic and Environmental Impact
The solar distribution initiative carries far-reaching implications:
Domestic Relief: Reliable lighting, fan usage, mobile charging, and operation of small appliances.
Economic Support: Reduced dependence on diesel generators and kerosene.
Environmental Protection: Lower carbon emissions through renewable energy adoption.
Social Equity: Targeted assistance for energy-deprived mountainous populations.
A Step Toward Sustainable Electrification
The Rs 2 billion solar panel and inverter distribution scheme marks a substantive welfare and infrastructure intervention for Gilgit-Baltistan. By combining free renewable energy infrastructure with accountability conditions, partial beneficiary contribution, and an equitable district allocation formula, the initiative seeks to create a balanced model of relief and responsibility.
The overwhelming influx of applications at the very outset further reinforces the pressing need for such interventions. If implemented transparently and efficiently, the programme holds the promise of easing domestic hardship, strengthening energy resilience, and advancing Pakistan’s renewable energy footprint in one of its most strategically significant yet infrastructurally challenged regions.
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