By Abdul Ghani

Pakistan has advanced a Rs32.424 billion proposal for the development of 100 MWp of distributed solar photovoltaic plants in Gilgit-Baltistan as the government seeks to strengthen the region's energy infrastructure and expand renewable-energy development.

According to the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives' Monthly Development Update – September 2026, available with Wealth Pakistan, the Development of 100 MWp Distributed Solar Photovoltaic Plants in Gilgit-Baltistan was recommended by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on August 28.

The proposal, sponsored by the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan, carries an estimated cost of Rs32.424 billion and is listed in the report's annex as an energy-sector position paper, or PP-I, with the status "Recommended to ECNEC."

The official document describes the initiative as "Development of 100 MWp Distributed Solar Photovoltaic Plants in Gilgit-Baltistan." However, the report does not provide a site-wise breakdown of the proposed capacity or specify the number or locations of individual solar installations.

The proposed solar investment comes as energy reform and development have been identified among the government's major priorities for Gilgit-Baltistan.

A high-level review of the region's fiscal, governance, energy and development priorities was undertaken on August 5 under the auspices of the Prime Minister's Review Committee. Discussions centred on an NFC-based resource-sharing framework, power-sector reforms, hydropower development, climate resilience and digital connectivity.

The review identified enhancing fiscal sustainability, accelerating the execution of ongoing projects and catalysing private-sector investment in hydropower and renewable energy among the strategic priorities for Gilgit-Baltistan.

According to the report, the review reaffirmed the federal government's commitment to sustainable, resilient and inclusive development in the region.
The 100 MWp solar proposal therefore comes against a broader policy focus on renewable energy investment and strengthening development outcomes in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Gilgit-Baltistan also received attention in other sectors during the CDWP's August deliberations.

The forum approved the revised project for the Establishment of Medical and Nursing College at Gilgit at a cost of Rs4.924 billion. The project is intended to establish modern medical and nursing education facilities, enhance access to quality healthcare education and develop skilled healthcare professionals to meet the region's growing needs.

During two CDWP meetings held in August, the forum considered 19 agenda items, comprising 14 projects, four position papers and one policy paper proposal.

Seven projects costing Rs25.4 billion and two position papers were approved. One policy paper, one position paper and two projects were deferred, while five projects worth Rs283.9 billion and one position paper were recommended to ECNEC.

The 100 MWp distributed solar proposal is the position paper recommended to ECNEC and is therefore separate from the five projects carrying the combined cost of Rs283.9 billion.

The proposal is also being considered within a development framework that places greater emphasis on climate resilience and the long-term sustainability of public investment.

The Planning Ministry has finalised the Public Investment Procedure and Parameters (PIPP), a scorecard-based method for selecting and prioritising development projects under the Public Sector Development Programme.

The reform is intended to shift the PSDP from a demand-driven project list towards a priority-driven investment portfolio, with ministries required to rank projects using prescribed scoring criteria before cross-sectoral comparison by the Planning Commission.

Under the framework, project selection is linked to national priorities, economic viability, technical readiness, climate resilience, social impact, sustainability, private-sector participation and measurable results.

The federal PSDP for FY2026-27 has been set at Rs1 trillion, including Rs255 billion as foreign-loan rupee cover, with emphasis on prioritising fast-moving, high-impact ongoing projects amid fiscal constraints.

The development outlook outlined by the Planning Ministry also places private investment, exports, productivity, technology, human capital and climate resilience among the areas expected to support broad-based growth, alongside improving public-investment efficiency and accelerating priority projects.

The 100 MWp distributed solar proposal has so far been recommended to ECNEC and is not recorded in the report as having received final ECNEC approval. At an estimated cost of Rs32.424 billion, it represents a significant renewable-energy proposal for Gilgit-Baltistan under consideration at the federal development-planning level.

Credit: INP-WealthPk