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November 1, 2026
PM Shehbaz ordered the earliest completion of Gilgit-Baltistan’s 100MW solar project with funds released on time, ahead of his expected November 1 visit to mark the region’s liberation day.
Gilgit-Baltistan’s energy projects have landed squarely on the prime minister’s desk. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the relevant authorities to complete development projects in the region on time, with the 100MW Solar Power Project at the top of the list.
He gave the directives while presiding over a meeting to review progress on development projects in Gilgit-Baltistan. GB Chief Minister Amjad Hussain attended as a special participant. The timing carries weight. The region celebrates November 1 as the day it was liberated from Dogra rule and acceded to Pakistan, and the prime minister is expected to visit GB to mark the occasion.
The meeting was presented with a report from a committee formed in July 2026 on the prime minister’s directives. The report reviewed the status of ongoing federal projects in the region, the obstacles holding them back, and the steps needed to finish them on schedule. Hydropower, infrastructure and solar projects were all examined, according to the PM Office.
The prime minister asked for the 100-megawatt solar project, launched by the federal government for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, to be completed at the earliest possible date. The meeting also discussed finishing the Naltar Power Project, strengthening counterterrorism capabilities and installing digital infrastructure in the region.
Beyond the solar plant, Sharif told ministries and departments to speed up work on all ongoing projects and ensure funds arrive on time. He instructed them to clear obstacles on a priority basis and coordinate effectively across institutions. He also ordered regular monitoring of development projects, particularly those linked to energy, so that residents benefit as soon as possible.
This is not the first time the project has drawn the prime minister’s attention. Dawn earlier reported that the PM directed authorities to expedite work on the same 100MW solar project.
It also covered an earlier decision in which the PM okayed power projects for GB and Gwadar. The repeated directives raise a fair question about how quickly instructions from the top are turning into progress on the ground.
The prime minister reiterated that developing Gilgit-Baltistan, providing basic facilities to its people and improving their quality of life remain federal priorities. With his visit expected within days, the real test is whether the funding and coordination he demanded translate into visible progress for a region that depends heavily on reliable energy.
