ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday chaired the third meeting of the Prime Minister’s Committee to address recurring water and power shortages in Gwadar and review energy projects in Gwadar and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
Federal Power Minister Awais Leghari and senior officials from relevant ministries attended the meeting. They discussed ways to accelerate critical power projects in both regions.
Iqbal said the government is committed to ending chronic electricity shortages. He stressed that reliable power is vital for economic growth and basic services.
He noted that the Prime Minister has prioritised energy projects for GB and directed that they be completed on schedule. “The people of Gilgit-Baltistan must receive adequate and reliable electricity, and we are taking all necessary steps to ensure this,” he said.
The committee approved an action plan to speed up energy projects in GB. The plan aims to add 100 MW of power generation by June 2026. It includes a 100 MW Distributed Photovoltaic Solar Project, with 18 MW of rooftop solar and 82 MW of utility-scale solar. The Rs 24 billion project is designed to expand clean energy access and cut dependence on unsustainable sources.
Iqbal urged departments to secure budget allocations quickly and complete the solarisation programme without delay. He also reviewed the Rs 1.9 billion Solarisation of Pumping Stations and Desalination Plants in Gwadar. The project aims to improve water supply efficiency and reduce operating costs. Officials said it will recover its investment in 2.7 years.
The committee was told that the grid stability study for Gwadar is complete. A ±50 MVAR Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) at Pasni and a local generation plant in Gwadar are expected to be deployed between October and December 2026.
Iqbal directed that the STATCOM be installed on time and pressed for rapid progress on solarisation projects to ease Gwadar’s water supply problems. He said stable and affordable power is essential for residents and for ongoing development at the port city.
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The minister stressed the need for strong service maintenance at Gwadar Port and effective law enforcement to support long-term development. He called for close coordination with the Balochistan government and the Gwadar Development Authority during all power-related projects.
Iqbal reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving living standards and supporting sustainable development in both regions. He instructed all agencies to follow strict timelines and deliver results.
