‘G-B CM sends SOS over crippling power crisis’

Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan has proposed to the federal government to install 50 megawatt (MW) solar energy plants at strategic locations and invest in upgrading the transmission and distribution infrastructure to ensure efficient power supply to all corners of the region.

In a letter to Power and Energy Minister Awais Laghari, the chief minister pointed to a dire situation in the region because of “a severe power crisis” that had not only disrupted daily life and economic activities but also led to environment degradation.

According to the letter released to the media on Thursday, G-B was experiencing extreme load-shedding, with some towns facing power cuts for more than 22 hours. Other major issues mentioned in the letter were related to the region’s disconnection from the national grid.

“This situation has not only disrupted daily life but also severely impacted economic activities and essential services,” the letter said. It added that the situation had also led to environmental degradation and deforestation because of increased reliance on traditional fuel sources.

The chief minister highlighted that a significant portion of the region’s limited development funds were allocated to power generation, diverting resources away from other development sectors. He added that disconnection from the national grid made it difficult for the region to meet its energy needs.