ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development Ahsan Iqbal directed Power Division and government of Balochistan to devise comprehensive strategy for converting agricultural tubewells to solar energy, aiming to ensure cost-effective power supply to farmers in province.

Chairing meeting, he discussed matters related to conversion of electric agricultural tubewells to solar energy to provide cost-effective and uninterrupted power supply to farmers in Balochistan, said press release issued by Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. Ahsan Iqbal said that all resources were being utilized to ensure timely completion of federal development projects, emphasising that well-being of people of Balochistan was government’s top priority.

He reiterated government’s firm resolve to accelerate work on converting agricultural tubewells to solar energy to meet power demand of farming community in province and facilitate sustainable agricultural development. Chief Minister Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti said that farming community in province faced various problems including inadequate electricity supply and load shedding, which negatively impact agriculture sector.

To address energy needs and ensure electricity supply in Balochistan, he emphasised importance of adopting alternative sources, adding that solar energy harvesting and solar tubewells could improve agriculture sector. Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh. Secretary Power Division along with senior federal and provincial government officials attended meeting.