The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) signed a contract worth Rs. 46.5 million with Quality Solutions Technologies (Pvt) Ltd for consultancy services for the digitization of significant rock carvings in the direct area of impact of Diamer Basha Dam with modelling and preparation of data for 3D printing. The major scope of services includes site documentation through terrestrial scanners and consolidation and archiving and modelling scanned data for various applications. The duration of the contract is eight months.

In a ceremony held the other day, General Manager Diamer Basha Dam Project (WAPDA) Nazakat Hussain and Director of Business Development Quality Solutions Technologies Saad Ahmed Khan signed the agreement on behalf of their organizations. Member (Water) WAPDA Jawaid Akhtar Latif, CEO Diamer Basha Dam Company Amir Bashir Chaudhry, Advisor WAPDA Cultural Heritage Management Feryal Ali Gauhar and Chief Engineer (Contracts) Diamer Basha Dam Project Abdur Rashid were also present on the occasion.

The Diamer Basha Dam Project is being constructed in Northern Pakistan, which serves as a repository of rich cultural heritage comprising many rock carvings. WAPDA is implementing a Cultural Heritage Management Plan in the Diamer Basha Dam Project area to fulfil its national and international obligations. The Plan aims to preserve pre-historic rock carvings and inscriptions to be submerged in the water reservoir of Diamer Basha Dam, setting up a museum and promoting cultural tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly in Chilas and its suburban areas.

The Cultural Heritage Management Plan of the Diamer Basha Dam Project recommends the digital preservation of 175-200 of the most significant rock carvings representing various historical periods and aesthetic styles. The rock carvings, which are being preserved, were short-listed by the international consultant and former Director of the Pak-German Archaeological Mission, Professor Dr. Harald Hauptmann.