Solar system manufacturing urged

Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has called for a policy framework to encourage local manufacturing of solar systems, according to The Express Tribune. Speaking on Friday at the 3rd International Solar Power Conclave & Solar Technology Excellence Awards 2026, he argued that a domestic solar industry could create jobs, supply cheaper clean power and bring in foreign exchange. He blamed the lack of a government policy for the absence of such production.

The governor urged solar businesses to start making systems locally rather than wait indefinitely for official policy, noting the industry had introduced the technology without substantial state support. He said rapid rooftop uptake was encouraging, with cities appearing to have almost 90% of roofs covered, and pointed to free panels distributed by the Sindh government to livestock farmers and flood-hit communities. Local output, he added, could also meet rising demand and allow exports.

Punjab Energy Minister Faisal Ayub pledged provincial support and talks with the federal energy minister to devise a policy. PSA president Adil Mahmood said solar was supplying up to 40,000 megawatts and objected to a charge of four paisa per unit, which he said translated into around Rs1.5 million per MW per month. He also asked for duties and sales tax on batteries to be abolished, noting that net metering had been scrapped and proposing local lithium battery plants.