The federal government has decided to establish a dedicated Wapda Security Force to protect major water sector infrastructure projects and the workers associated with them, particularly Chinese nationals engaged in sensitive developments.
The new force is being proposed through the Wapda Security Force Act, 2026, which has already been forwarded to parliament.
According to the statement of objects and reasons attached to the draft law, the force is being created to ensure the protection and security of critical infrastructure managed by the Water and Power Development Authority.
The move comes after two terrorist attacks targeted engineers and workers associated with the over $6 billion Dasu Hydropower Project in November 2021 and March 2024, resulting in the deaths of several Chinese and Pakistani workers.
Officials said the decision to establish a standalone force was driven by concerns that Wapda projects did not originally fall under the dedicated security framework set up for CPEC-related schemes. Although a CPEC-like security arrangement was later extended to Dasu and other projects involving Chinese nationals, the government now wants a permanent and specialized security structure for water sector projects.
An official said two special security divisions of the Pakistan Army had been tasked with protecting CPEC projects in Balochistan and along the corridor up to Gilgit-Baltistan, but Wapda projects required a separate mechanism. He added that Wapda’s broader security system was now being overhauled.
The official also said that the attack on Dasu project staff had caused the Chinese side to suspend work on the project for more than a year. Construction resumed only after top-level government engagement and compensation payments, despite delays and increased costs.
Following consultations with the Chinese side, the prime minister directed that CPEC-level security cover should be extended 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 from the armed forces, and will be responsible for the protection of dams, power plants, machinery, equipment, 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. Depending on the location, it will work alongside Rangers, local police, and Frontier Constabulary.
For example, it is expected to provide security to the K-4 Greater Water Supply Scheme in Sindh in coordination with Rangers and local police, while in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan it will operate alongside Frontier Constabulary units.
The draft law states that the force will also be responsible for preventing offences related to Wapda installations and ensuring security for Wapda staff and workers travelling to and from notified areas through coordination with law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
The federal government will retain overall superintendence of the force, while operational control will remain with Wapda. Its strength will be determined according to security requirements from time to time.
The proposed law further states that officers and staff of the Wapda Security Force will be governed under the Essential Services Act and will not be allowed to engage in any other employment while serving in the force.
It also says that the Industrial Relations Act, 2012, and the Industrial and Commercial Employment Ordinance, 1968, will not apply to members of the force.
To provide legal cover, the draft law grants indemnity to the government, Wapda, the director general, officers, staff members, and others performing functions under the act in good faith. It states that officers and staff of the force will not be subject to civil or criminal liability for actions taken in the exercise of their powers under the proposed law.
