PM’s Free Solar Scheme: Digital balloting for beneficiaries begins in Gilgit

GILGIT, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Mar, 2026) Caretaker Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Justice (r) Yar Mohammad has launched the digital balloting process for applicants from Gilgit district under the first phase of the Prime Minister of Pakistan’s free solar scheme for Gilgit-Baltistan.

Speaking at a ceremony, the chief minister said the initiative by the prime minister was a historic step to address the region’s long-standing energy crisis. He said the government was committed to transparency, merit and equal opportunity.

He said a digital balloting system had been adopted to ensure fair selection of beneficiaries. According to him, the system will help ensure that deserving people receive the benefits of the scheme without discrimination.

Yar Mohammad said solar systems with a total capacity of 58 megawatts would be provided under the project. Of this, 40MW is allocated for domestic consumers while 18MW is reserved for small businesses and IT-related enterprises.

He said the solar panels had already been transported from Karachi to Gilgit-Baltistan. Work on the project is progressing rapidly, he added. He said the initiative would help reduce electricity shortages and promote clean and sustainable energy.

Caretaker provincial ministers Sajid Ali Baig, Engineer Altaf Hussain and Syed Adil Shah also spoke to the media. They praised the prime minister’s initiative and said the project would benefit the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

They said promoting alternative energy would help address electricity shortages. It would also contribute to environmental protection. They added that renewable energy projects were essential in the context of global warming.

Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Mushtaq Ahmed briefed the participants about the project. He said the distribution of solar systems would be carried out with full transparency under the supervision of the minister for energy.

He said all districts had been included in the scheme on an equal basis. He added that the most deserving families would receive solar systems along with batteries and inverters free of cost. The selection will be based on the data of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

Mr Ahmed said a monitoring system had been established under the Project Monitoring and Reforms Unit (PMRU) to ensure transparency. The first digital balloting in Gilgit district was completed on the day.

He said the balloting process was also underway in Nagar, Hunza and Ghizer districts. According to the schedule, balloting will next be held in Astore and Diamer. The process will then be extended to other districts of Baltistan division.

Caretaker government spokesperson Shabbir Mir said the aim of the scheme was to ensure fair distribution of solar systems among applicants. He said the initiative would help deserving families and reduce the region’s power crisis.