Prince Rahim Aga Khan unveils tech park, solar plants in Hunza

GILGIT: Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the second child of Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of the Ismailis, inaugurated a software technology park (STP) and launched the development of two solar power plants in Hunza on Saturday.

According to the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), the prince inaugurated a software technology park in Nasirabad, Hunza, which will support the sustainable development of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The new facility, a collaborative effort between the Special Communications Organisation (SCO) and Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan (AKF-P), will provide uninterrupted power supply, high-speed internet, and a co-working space for small and growing start-ups, freelancers, and chambers of commerce.

“The Nasirabad Software Technology Park will act as the central resource for a hub and spokes model linking other IT facilities in more remote areas of the region. This will enhance access to distance learning, entrepreneurship and career counselling, and digital skills development, while catalysing freelance business opportunities,” the AKDN said.

Prince Rahim also launched the development of the Duiker Phase-II and Nasirabad solar power plants, which together will increase the daily power supply for over 32,000 people in Hunza.

Phase-I of Duiker solar power plant, which has a generation capacity of 1MWp and 0.6MWh battery storage, commenced operations in November 2023, increasing the daily power availability for more than 11,000 people, from 10 to 17 hours in summer and from four to nine hours in winter.

When commissioned in November 2024, Duiker Phase-II will expand generation capacity from 1MWp to 1.6MWp, and battery storage from 0.6MWh to 1MWh, providing increased electricity to an additional 8,760 people.

Crucially, Duiker replaces diesel power generation, leading to an annual reduction of 1,100 metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

A 2MWp solar power plant with 1MWh battery storage will also be constructed in Nasirabad in lower Hunza. This will supply power to an additional 23,400 people. The Nasirabad solar power plant is expected to be commissioned in June 2025.

NPAK Energy Ltd, a subsidiary of Industrial Promotion Services, the industrial and infrastructure development arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, is investing $6 million in these projects.

Other development partners will contribute $14 million to enhance the region’s energy infrastructure. Investments in clean, sustainable sources of electricity across Hunza and the surrounding areas will address the region’s acute energy deficit while contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change.

Prince Rahim also made a stop at the Altit Fort, walking through the surrounding streets – which have been settlements for over 1,000 years. The streets were lined with members of Ismaili community and volunteers.

The 800-year-old fort, built by the ruling family of Hunza, has been restored by the Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan and is now a major attraction for tourists, a local history museum and a cultural centre. It received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award of Distinction in 2011.

In the evening, Prince Rahim attended a reception at the newly constructed Hunza Serena Hotel, the first five-star hotel in Hunza. The hotel’s construction provided employment for over 600 workers, including women from CIQAM – a social enterprise that trains women in carpentry.

Earlier on his arrival in Pakistan on Friday, Prince Rahim met with President Asif Ali Zardari, who awarded him the Nishan-i-Pakistan, the country’s highest civilian award. The award recognises individuals who have rendered services of the highest distinction to Pakistan.

Noting Prince Rahim’s role as Chair of the Executive Committee of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and Chair of the AKDN Environment and Climate Committee, the award hailed his ” untiring efforts to improving the quality of life of peoples in resource-constrained regions of Asia and Africa”.

According to AKDN, Prince Rahim is currently visiting Pakistan to review projects of the Aga Khan Development Network in renewable energy, microfinance and information technology, as well as meet government officials and leaders of AKDN and the Ismaili community.

The prince will also meet with government officials including GB CM Haji Gulbar Khan and Governor Syed Mehdi Shah.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan, the daughter of Prince Karim Aga Khan, visited Pakistan last month. During her five-day visit to G-B and Chitral, Princess Zahra engaged with local communities, development partners, and government officials, reinforcing her commitment to cooperation and development in the region. She also inspected uplift projects being executed by the Aga Khan Development Network.