Government to Form WAPDA Security Force for Major Water Projects Protection
May 2026 | By Azad News
The government has decided to establish a dedicated WAPDA Security Force to provide enhanced protection for major water infrastructure projects across Pakistan, particularly those involving Chinese engineers and workers.
The proposed force will be created under the WAPDA Security Force Act, 2026, which has been submitted to parliament for approval.
According to official documents, the new force will be responsible for safeguarding critical infrastructure managed by the Water and Power Development Authority, including dams, hydropower plants, and related facilities.
The move follows past militant attacks on the Dasu Hydropower Project in 2021 and 2024, incidents that resulted in the deaths of several Pakistani and Chinese workers and caused major delays in construction.
Officials said that while CPEC-related projects already receive high-level security protection, WAPDA projects were not fully covered under that arrangement, creating the need for a separate dedicated force.
The new force will reportedly be led by a director general, likely from the armed forces, and will operate with its own uniform, insignia, and legal authority across designated project sites nationwide.
Its responsibilities will include protecting installations, machinery, personnel, and residential areas linked to WAPDA projects, as well as coordinating with law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
The force will also work alongside Rangers, Frontier Corps, and local police in different provinces to ensure security in high-risk regions.
Under the proposed law, personnel of the force will be governed under essential services regulations and will not be allowed to take other employment during service.
The draft legislation also includes legal protections for officers and staff acting in good faith during their duties, ensuring indemnity from civil or criminal proceedings in official actions.
Conclusion
The proposed WAPDA Security Force reflects the government’s effort to strengthen protection for strategic infrastructure projects, particularly those linked to national energy needs and foreign investment partnerships.
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