ISLAMABAD: Around 8,000 reconstructed homes in Pakistan’s south-western province of Balochistan are set to receive solar power systems under the final phase of a Saudi-funded housing project aimed at supporting communities affected by the devastating 2013 earthquake in Awaran district.
The Balochistan government has announced plans to equip all 8,000 newly rebuilt permanent houses in Awaran with solar energy systems, marking the concluding stage of a major reconstruction initiative designed to improve living conditions and provide reliable access to electricity in one of the country’s most remote regions.
The housing project, financed by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), has already completed the construction of all 8,000 permanent homes. The remaining phase involves the procurement and installation of solar energy systems for each house.
According to official information, the overall cost of the project has been revised from Rs2.5 billion to approximately Rs2.825 billion, representing an increase of around 13 per cent.
The revised budget reflects additional costs associated with completing the housing scheme and incorporating the solar power component.
Officials said the procurement and installation process for the solar systems is currently awaiting final approval from the Saudi Fund for Development.
Once clearance is granted, work on the solarisation programme is expected to begin, ensuring every reconstructed home is equipped with a sustainable source of electricity.
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The initiative is expected to improve energy access for thousands of families in Awaran, a district where electricity infrastructure remains limited and many communities face persistent challenges in obtaining reliable power supplies.
The project forms part of broader reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts undertaken following the powerful earthquake that struck Awaran in 2013, causing widespread destruction to homes and public infrastructure.
The addition of solar energy is intended to enhance the long-term sustainability of the rebuilt communities while reducing dependence on conventional electricity sources.
With the completion of the solar installation phase, the Saudi-backed reconstruction project will deliver not only permanent housing but also clean and dependable energy to thousands of households, supporting improved living standards and greater resilience in one of Pakistan’s most underdeveloped regions.
