The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) allocated over Rs94.2 million for 75 community-based girls’ schools in Diamer as part of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project to promote education, especially for girls. This funding was approved under the Community-Based Accelerated Learning Schools (CBALS) programme and will support these schools for three years through a joint arrangement involving WAPDA, the Gilgit-Baltistan Education Department, and the READ Foundation.
The initiative aims to provide primary education access to around 2,250 out-of-school girls in Chilas, Tangir, and Darel. An additional Rs29.5 million has been set aside for rehabilitating five government schools in Tangir and Darel, upgrading facilities, providing furniture, stationery, and other educational resources, as well as two coaster buses for student transport.
The rehabilitation initiative will be implemented under the joint supervision of WAPDA, the GB Education Department, and GB Scouts. WAPDA has already completed several education-focused initiatives in the project area, including the establishment of Cadet College Chilas at a cost of Rs2.1 billion. The Thore Army Public School was set up at a cost of Rs22.6 million, while government schools in Tangir and Darel were upgraded.
More projects aimed at promoting education in the region are currently under approval and implementation. Overall, WAPDA is investing Rs78.5 billion in economic, social development, and infrastructure in the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project area.
Earlier, WAPDA initiated the refurbishment of the Mangla Hydel Power Station to boost Pakistan’s clean energy capacity. The project involves upgrading existing power units without shutting down the entire station, allowing electricity generation to continue during the process. This will increase the plant’s installed capacity from 1,000MW to 1,310MW and significantly raise annual energy output. The initiative is part of WAPDA’s broader strategy to enhance hydropower generation, reduce reliance on costly and environmentally harmful thermal energy, and strengthen long-term energy security.