ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved the distribution of confiscated solar panels to Gilgit-Baltistan to address electricity shortages in the region, following consent from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Under the plan, 144,875 solar panels with a total generation capacity of 58.8 megawatts will be handed over for deployment in G-B. The panels are currently lying at Karachi ports and became federal property under the Customs Act, 1969 after confiscation.
The Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and States and Frontier Regions informed the ECC that the G-B government had proposed a structured distribution and transport plan. The region’s chief secretary supported the proposal, citing prolonged load-shedding and environmental considerations.
The total capacity will be allocated across four streams: 63.7 percent for domestic use, 30.6 percent for business entities, 3.9 percent through collaboration with the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme and 1.7 percent for off-grid populations. Within the business category, 40 percent of the capacity will be reserved for IT enterprises, while 60 percent will be allocated to health facilities, educational institutions and small livelihood units.
Domestic allocation will follow a weighted formula based on population density and severity of load-shedding. A technical committee formed by the G-B government inspected the panels and assessed their condition and transport requirements before submission of the final plan.
The consolidated transportation and handling cost has been estimated at Rs240.1 million, or Rs1,623 per panel. The G-B government has committed to self-finance the amount and later recover it from beneficiaries. The Finance Division informed the ECC that the regional government has sufficient fiscal space and cash balance to meet the expenditure.
The ECC approved the proposal and authorised FBR to proceed with handing over the panels along with the transportation and distribution plan within the proposed timeline of 80 days.
