G-B CM seeks federal intervention to alleviate power crisis

GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan has written a letter to Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, emphasizing urgent federal intervention and support to address the acute electricity crisis in Gilgit-Baltistan.

In his letter, the federal minister’s attention was drawn to the ongoing power outages lasting up to 22 hours in some areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, causing distress among residents and stagnating economic activities and essential services across the region.

The CM mentioned unlike other provinces, Gilgit Baltistan was not connected to the national grid, exacerbating the power deficit and making the region heavily reliant on local generation.

“A significant portion of our limited development funds is allocated towards power generation, which diverts resources from other crucial development sectors. This has led to environmental degradation, including deforestation, due to increased reliance on traditional fuel sources,” reads the letter.

Operation Azm-e-Istahkam gets federal cabinet’s nod

He said that the inability to establish industries and the high cost of living during winters due to energy shortages were adversely affecting the economic and social fabric of Gilgit Baltistan.

Highlighting Gilgit-Baltistan’s unique significance for tourism, CM Gulbar Khan emphasized that the electricity crisis has disrupted tourism activities in the region.

“The hospitality sector, including hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants, is particularly affected and unable to provide consistent services such as heating, hot water, and reliable electricity to guests, leading to decreased occupancy rates and negative reviews,” reads the letter. He stressed the need for special attention from the federal government to resolve these pressing issues.

Gulbar Khan sought the allocation of special resources for harnessing Gilgit Baltistan’s estimated 50,000 MW hydropower potential, including facilitating feasibility studies, investment incentives, and streamlined approval processes for hydropower projects and an enhanced fiscal space in Federal PSDP for the development of Gilgit Baltistan’s energy sector.

He further advocated for the installation of 50-megawatt solar energy plants in strategic locations across Gilgit Baltistan to diversify our energy mix and enhance reliability.

The Chief Minister asked the federal government to invest in the upgradation and expansion of the region’s transmission and distribution infrastructure to ensure efficient delivery of electricity to all corners of Gilgit Baltistan.

CM Khan also invited Federal Minister Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari to visit Gilgit-Baltistan accompanied by international experts and donors. This visit aims to provide firsthand insight into the region’s energy challenges and explore collaborative solutions.

The CM asked the center to invite international experts and donors to collaborate with Gilgit Baltistan in developing sustainable energy solutions. The collaboration may include technical assistance, funding, and knowledge sharing.

Moreover, Gulbar Khan also put forth a proposal for a Power Sector Donors Conference during the visit to engage international stakeholders in supporting Gilgit-Baltistan’s energy infrastructure development

“We believe that a collaborative approach involving federal and regional authorities, international donors, and technical experts is essential to overcoming the current challenges in our power sector,” the CM added.