In a decisive move to address Pakistan’s chronic energy shortfalls, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the utilisation of confiscated solar panels lying idle at Karachi Port for public sector power projects in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Gwadar.
Under the plan, 100 MW of solar capacity will be deployed across remote sites in GB, while remaining panels will be allocated for the solarisation of water supply schemes in Gwadar, where persistent outages have disrupted port and industrial operations. The National Logistics Cell (NLC) has been tasked with transporting the panels from Karachi, while the Power Division, PPIB, and PPMC, in coordination with GB authorities, will conduct technical evaluations.
To ensure smooth execution, a Steering Committee led by the Federal Minister for Power has been established to monitor milestones, enforce quality standards, and coordinate with donor agencies. The Prime Minister’s Office has also suspended all further auctions of solar panels at Karachi Port.
The intervention comes after a warning from Yu Bo, Chairman of China Overseas Ports Holding Company, who cautioned that power instability in Gwadar threatens investor confidence and economic viability. In response, Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry confirmed plans for a dedicated solar power plant to provide stable, independent electricity for the Gwadar Free Zone.
Meanwhile, the Federal Board of Revenue reported a Rs 102 billion revenue loss in FY 2023-24 due to tax exemptions on solar imports. Despite recent GST adjustments, analysts say the repurposing of seized panels could prove a game-changer for sustainable energy equity in Pakistan.
