The federal government has decided to establish a dedicated Wapda Security Force to protect key water sector infrastructure projects across the country, along with workers associated with them, particularly Chinese nationals involved in major developments.
The new force is being created through the proposed Wapda Security Force Act, 2026, which has already been forwarded to parliament.
According to the statement of objects and reasons accompanying the draft law, the force is being constituted to ensure the protection and security of critical infrastructure managed by the Water and Power Development Authority.
The move comes in the wake of two terrorist attacks on engineers and workers linked to the over $6 billion Dasu Hydropower Project in November 2021 and March 2024, in which several Chinese and Pakistani workers were killed.
According to Dawn, the decision to create a standalone force followed concerns that Wapda projects did not originally fall under the dedicated security framework designed for CPEC projects. Although a CPEC-style arrangement was later extended to Dasu and other projects involving Chinese workers, the government now wants a permanent and specialized structure for water sector schemes.
The report said that two special security divisions of the Pakistan Army had been assigned to protect CPEC projects in Balochistan and along the route up to Gilgit-Baltistan, but Wapda’s projects required a separate arrangement. He added that Wapda’s wider security system was now being overhauled.
The official also recalled that the attack on the Dasu project staff had led to the suspension of work by the Chinese side for more than a year. Construction later resumed after high-level government engagement and compensation payments, despite delays and cost escalations.
Following consultations with the Chinese side, the prime minister directed that CPEC-level security cover should be made available to all sensitive projects, especially those involving Chinese nationals and other water sector projects of national importance.
Under the proposed law, the Wapda Security Force will be headed by a director general, likely drawn from the armed forces, and will be responsible for protecting dams, power plants, machinery, offices, personnel, and residential facilities linked to Wapda projects.
The force will have its own uniform, insignia, and official stamp, and will operate in notified areas across the country. It will work alongside other security agencies, depending on location, including Rangers, local police, and Frontier Constabulary.
For instance, it is expected to provide security for the K-4 Greater Water Supply Scheme in Sindh in coordination with Rangers and local police, while in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan it will work alongside FC units.
The draft law states that the force will be responsible for securing installations, dams, powerhouses, machinery, equipment, offices, personnel, and residences, and for preventing offences related to them.
The federal government will exercise overall superintendence over the force, while operational control will remain with Wapda.
The force will also be tasked with ensuring security for Wapda personnel and workers travelling to and from notified areas, while coordinating with law enforcement and intelligence agencies. It may also assist other agencies in protecting notified areas from encroachment and trespassing after official notification in the gazette.
Its size will be determined according to security needs from time to time.
The draft law further states that officers and staff of the Wapda Security Force will fall under the Essential Services Act and will not be permitted to take up any other employment during service.
It also says that the Industrial Relations Act, 2012, and the Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968, will not apply to the force’s officers and staff.
To provide legal protection, the proposed law grants indemnity to the government, Wapda, the director general, officers, staff members, and others performing functions under the act in good faith. It specifies that officers and staff of the force will not face civil or criminal liability for actions taken in the exercise of their powers under the law.
