Why is the govt privatising the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park?

E-Paper | July 26, 2026

To tackle the massive crisis of energy in Pakistan, the current government made several promises which included two power projects – Nandipur Power Plant and Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park (QASP) project in Bahawalpur.

But after the failure of the federal government’s Nandipur power plant, the Punjab government has started the process of privatisation of the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, according to "Exposed", a show on DawnNews.

Read editorial: Nandipur fiasco

The show explores the reasons behind the Punjab government’s plans to privatise the solar project and their inability to provide the promised energy output.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had recently defended the cost and electricity production of the QASP project and dispelled any ‘misconceptions’ regarding the project’s viability.

What prompted the decision to privatise the park?

Anchor Shiraz Hasnat discusses the issue with Punjab government spokesperson Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri, energy expert Arshad Abbasi, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Andleeb Abbas and journalist Anwer Hussain Sumra.

During the discussion Sumra reveals, “The solar park is producing only 18 megawatt of electricity instead of the 100 megawatt that was promised by the provincial government.”

“Bahawalpur’s climate is not suitable for the project. The temperature rises above 45 degrees Celsius which does not produce the required amount of electricity,” said Abbasi.

Criticising the claims made by CM Punjab over the project, PTI leader Andleeb Abbas said, “The solar plant has failed to provide cheap electricity. It has been constructed on a wildlife park, which has disturbed the bio-diversity of the area.”

Also read: Solar Park project: Cholistan’s precious trees being illegally sold

She further said that her party would take up the issue in the parliament.

The solar plant is an expensive project which is not feasible for Pakistan, according to Arshad Abbasi who explained that, “Like India, we should have set up solar panels on waste lands and focus more on hydro power.”

According to the documents obtained by Exposed, the Punjab Privatisation Board will privatise the shares of the project as per the orders of the Punjab government.

Defending the privatisation, Zaeem Qadri said, “We are divesting the equity from this project, so that we can invest that money in upcoming energy projects.”

Follow Dawn Business on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Pakistan

Shahbaz defends cost and production of solar project

‘Solar Park producing 12pc more power than target’

PM Nawaz inaugurates country's first solar park

Something Fishy

Dec 06, 2015 01:23pm

Corruption, corruption and more corruption!

Recommend 0

Krezy

Dec 06, 2015 01:31pm

I guess lack of planning and sheer incompetence...

Recommend 0

Haroon

Dec 06, 2015 01:36pm

Our media outlets should stop making fuss about it. They should learn that Privatization is infact beneficial. Learn from the West and American system of governance. Infact every successful economy of the world is following the model of Privatization.

Recommend 0

Viqar Khilji

Dec 06, 2015 02:28pm

Shabaz Sharif's brash and hasty decisions and the beuraucracy's eagreness to applaud and rejoice "My Urban Lord's" recklessness, will eventually be the ruin of us all. GOD help us.

Recommend 0

Ahmad

Dec 06, 2015 02:40pm

We need own engineers , Pak should ban all chines engineers to work in Pak , If we have use own Pakistani engineers than we can not face such issues. Nawaz Sharif and Zardari always give project to Chines , for example Nandi pur and solar one. ....................Bad choices at the polls can destroy economic opportunities, produce crises that lower everyone’s standards of living, lead to unjust and unnecessary wars (and thus to millions of falling and living in poverty), lead to sexist, racist, and homophobic legislation, help reinforce poverty, produce overly punitive criminal legislation, and worse.

Recommend 0

Dec 06, 2015 03:02pm

Vision less leaders ! Solar power should have been the last choice for a poor nation.

Recommend 0

Sallu Bhai

Dec 06, 2015 03:08pm

Good step by pmln. Regardless of PTI trolls say you have the true mandate SS. Keep up the good work.

Recommend 0

Khwarezmi

Dec 06, 2015 05:09pm

“Bahawalpur’s climate is not suitable for the project. The temperature rises above 45 degrees Celsius which does not produce the required amount of electricity,” said Abbasi. Criticising the claims made by CM Punjab over the project, PTI leader Andleeb Abbas said, “The solar plant has failed to provide cheap electricity. It has been constructed on a wildlife park, which has disturbed the bio-diversity of the area.” Heads MUST roll!!!

Recommend 0

Unknown

Dec 06, 2015 06:07pm

Solar power plants have to be constructed on waste land due to lower cost of land. Constructing in forests is not advisable due to environmental issues. A single 1MW Solar Power Plant produces approximately 4400 to 4500 Units a day average or around 16MW or 16 lac Units per annum average at a performance ratio of 75 to 80%. Even a worst designed power plant will have at least 50 to 60% PR. India & Pakistan have same irradiation levels & temperatures above 45 degree may reduce PR by another 5%. The only way for the Power Plant to produce just 12% of its installed capacity is the Power Station or the distribution systems inability to evacuate such high energy levels. Probably they should have expanded the wheeling capacity of the Power Station & then built the Power Plant. 2 cents from an Indian.

Recommend 0

Bulbul

Dec 06, 2015 06:33pm

Please, stop this utter nonsense. People are complaining against the physics of PV Devices. How much cost is being charged for this plant is available on NEPRA website, along with detailed technical and economical data for those who wants to study and verify themselves. And that journalist pointed out issues common to all PV Power Plants. One can point out that Pakistan should not look to PV technology just yet but please do not say that this plant is producing less energy or other useless things.

Recommend 0

syed wasim haider

Dec 06, 2015 07:43pm

Who made the feasibility report for this project? Now this land land will be sold off at a very low price.The other side of corruption.

Recommend 0

zafar

Dec 06, 2015 11:52pm

A 100 MW solar does not produce 100MW of consistent electricity for obvious reasons. On average the production is only 15MW. There are variations during the day with peak production varying between 11am-4pm and less before and after that tapering off very quickly. Besides temperature also reduces the panels' efficiency with the article being correct that 45Celcius is just too high for the panels reducing their production. The best production happens between 20-30Celcius. That said, some of the best candidates in Pakistan for Solar would be its northern areas. Solar's most important contribution is that it is environmentally friendly, but obviously the initial cost and financing is the biggest deterrent.

Recommend 0

shereen

Dec 07, 2015 08:06am

They taught us in a research course: Plan, plan, plan, pilot test at small scale to find issues, and then do the actual project. Seems like the government people didn't go to college. The problem in any case in the country is not of low production of electricity so much as it is an issues of wastage from production to delivery. If the bucket has a hole it will never be full.

Recommend 0

iffi

Dec 07, 2015 09:40am

@Haroon I think you are not satisfied with billions of loot & plunder in these thugs pockets & want them to loot & plunder in trillions...

Recommend 0

iffi

Dec 07, 2015 09:41am

@Sallu Bhai True mandate to loot & plunder .... wordless...

Recommend 0

iffi

Dec 07, 2015 09:45am

This project is not serving the public with electricity but have served & will serve more our rulers handsomely ........ so the experienced team is doing what was expected beautifully ....

Recommend 0

Muhammad Ishaq Bhatti

Dec 07, 2015 09:47am

TV panne participants does not know fundamentals of solar energy. They just want to create embrassement for the ruling party. The plant is producing more energy than committed. Power is not the measurement unit. It is energy which we use. However in India energy is 7 us cent per kWh. We are purchasing at more than 16 us cent. Where is the balance money?

Recommend 0

Waleed

Dec 07, 2015 11:33am

Demolish the site of the project and have a bridge or a road constructed over it since it would elevate the present government as heroes amongst the masses.

Recommend 0