PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan has ordered shifting of all functional tubewells in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) from hydel power to solar energy to ensure sustainable supply of drinking water to consumers, said a handout.

He said that all possible resources would be provided for expeditious work on solar and other alternative sources of power generation in the region for the uplift of tribal people.

He directed the authorities concerned that measures be taken to provide modern solar systems to houses, schools, health centres and government offices on priority basis in the areas where electricity supply was not sufficient.

According to a handout, the governor chaired a meeting on Thursday to review performance of the civil secretariat, Fata, regarding development projects and provision of solar energy facilities in tribal areas.

He directed the officials to take measures for timely completion of ongoing development schemes.

He said that major development schemes should be included in the next Annual Development Programme. He directed for consulting with domestic consumers of far-flung areas for power supply through solar energy.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2014