The Defence Housing Authority (DHA) has sent notices and imposed financial penalties on many of its residents for “violating” its building control regulations by installing solar panels on their rooftops to generate electricity. This is despite the federal government encouraging people to generate power through alternative energy sources to reduce dependence on expensive fuel.
To lessen dependency on pricey imported diesel, furnace oil, and LNG for electricity generation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier this month given the go-ahead for a 10,000 MW solar energy project. In order to encourage individuals and companies to choose solar energy, the PM also eliminated the general sales tax of 17% on solar panels.
However, the DHA’s move to issue notifications and fines to people for allegedly breaking construction regulations by installing raised steel structures for solar panels on their rooftops has caused rising anxiety within the community.
The residents are also taken aback by the DHA’s plan to penalize them after initially permitting them to install solar panels.
