Ahsan Iqbal pushes CPEC Phase II and solar energy expansion

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, has called for increased private sector involvement to drive the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). While the first phase attracted approximately $25 billion in Chinese investment and added 8,000 megawatts to the national power capacity, Phase II will focus on industrial development, agricultural modernization, mining, and digital growth through business-to-business cooperation.

In a separate development regarding regional energy infrastructure, Iqbal has directed the fast-tracking of a Rs24.9 billion, 100MW Distributed Solar Photovoltaic project in Gilgit-Baltistan. To address acute electricity shortages in the region, the minister ordered that solar installations, transmission lines, and access roads be executed simultaneously. He also noted that the Naltar and Hanzel power projects are nearing completion and urged the Gilgit-Baltistan government to establish regulatory frameworks for sustainable tourism growth.