I WANT to draw the attention of both the federal and provincial governments to the importance of solar energy in the ongoing electricity crisis. Pakistan has been blessed with vast resources of solar energy, including a blazing sun, vast tracts of land and longer day hours, especially in the summer, when the day lasts as long as 14 hours.

Therefore, it is important to provide necessary technology at the grassroots level, ensure the supply of solar panels at cheaper rates (if possible exempt the panels from taxation) and help in the local manufacturing of equipments and gadgets needed for generation of solar energy.

Instead of doling out money to the poor under the BISP and other programmes by the federal and provincial governments, it is time we spent more on the generation of electricity, promotion of industry and creation of jobs and businesses for the people.

AHMAD RAZA KHANLahore