SOLAR energy technologies and their mother, silicon technology activities, were established in Pakistan in the 1980s. They played many types of pivotal roles in the socio-economic development of our country, but unfortunately these historical records and their developments are still confused and have been extensively exploited even after so many decades.

Consequently, there had been much confusion about the facts of these activities and their developments. Unless cleared properly these ‘secrets’ are likely to confuse our public and politicians more and more with the passage of time, thus creating another national loss.

Like the declassification of system prevalent in other countries, all kinds of historical records, including state secrets, after a lapse of about 20 years or so, are opened to the public. It is time that in our national these historical records on the development of solar and silicon technologies were also declassified.

Their disclosure will save about 200m well-wishers of solar energy technologies in Pakistan from problems in harnessing solar energy in future.

Dr Atique Mufti

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2015