Gilgit-Baltistan CM launches transparent lottery for first phase of Free Solar Scheme

GILGIT (Web Desk): Caretaker Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Justice (R) Yar Muhammad, officially launched a transparent digital lottery for applicants from Gilgit district under the first phase of the Free Solar Scheme, initiated by the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Addressing the ceremony, the Chief Minister described the scheme as a historic and revolutionary initiative that will be a milestone in addressing long-standing energy challenges in the region.

Emphasizing transparency, merit, and equal opportunity, he said that a modern digital lottery has been adopted to ensure that the benefits of the project reach every deserving person without discrimination.

Under this scheme, a total of 58 MW of solar panels will be provided, with 40 MW allocated to domestic consumers and 18 MW to small businesses and IT-related enterprises.

The Chief Minister noted that the solar panels have been transported from Karachi to Gilgit-Baltistan and that significant progress is being made on the project. He highlighted that the initiative will help reduce the power crisis while providing environmentally friendly and sustainable energy to the people.

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Caretaker provincial ministers Sajid Ali Baig, Engineer Altaf Hussain, and Syed Adil Shah praised the Prime Minister’s initiative, saying the project will provide substantial benefits to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. They added that promoting alternative energy will help overcome the power shortage and contribute positively to environmental protection, especially in the context of global warming.

Additional Chief Secretary Development Mushtaq Ahmed briefed the media, stating that the distribution of solar panels will be carried out with complete transparency under the leadership of the Energy Minister. Families across all districts will be included, with the most deserving beneficiaries identified using data from the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP).

Each selected family will receive solar systems along with batteries and inverters free of cost. A comprehensive monitoring system has been developed under the Project Monitoring and Reforms Unit (PMRU) to ensure transparency.

The first digital lottery was successfully completed in Gilgit district, while the lottery process is simultaneously underway in Nagar, Hunza, and Ghizer. Future phases will cover Astore and Diamer, followed by other districts in the Baltistan division.

Spokesperson Shabbir Mir stated that the main objective of the scheme is to ensure fair and transparent distribution so that genuinely deserving people benefit. He expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for initiating the project, noting that it will not only reduce the electricity crisis but also promote economic and social development in the region through clean and renewable energy.