Karachi, Rooftop solar panels on every household could fully power Pakistan, significantly reducing the country’s reliance on imported fossil fuels and saving the national exchequer trillions. This statement was made during a recent press release by the PDP, emphasizing the potential benefits of widespread solar energy adoption in Pakistan.

According to Pasban Democratic Party, Altaf Shakoor highlighted the success of India’s interim budget announcement, which includes providing 300 units of free electricity every month to one crore households through its solar panel program. Shakoor pointed out the Indian government’s expectation of significant annual savings for households and questioned why Pakistan has not initiated similar schemes. He criticized the billions spent on capacity payments to private Independent Power Producers (IPPs) as a wasteful expenditure of public funds.

Shakoor suggested that the Pakistani government could distribute free or subsidized solar panels to low-income families, potentially through the Benazir Bhutto Income Support Program, to alleviate poverty, reduce oil imports, and support job creation. He also emphasized the impact of solar energy in rural areas, where it could lead to advancements in the agricultural sector, make Pakistan a significant grain producer in the region, and help combat food inflation.

The PDP Chairman called on the upcoming elected government to launch a comprehensive program to equip households across the country with rooftop solar panels, envisioning a future where renewable energy sources significantly contribute to Pakistan’s energy independence and economic stability.