The government has decided to establish a dedicated WAPDA Security Force to protect major water infrastructure projects and ensure safety for workers, especially foreign engineers involved in hydropower developments across the country. The proposed force will operate under new legislation aimed at strengthening protection for critical national assets and reducing security risks at high-value construction sites.
According to official details, the plan is being introduced through the WAPDA Security Force Act, 2026, which has already been forwarded to parliament for approval. The force will be responsible for safeguarding dams, powerhouses, equipment, offices and residential facilities linked to WAPDA projects, while also ensuring secure movement of staff between project sites under strict coordination with law enforcement agencies.
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The decision follows deadly terrorist attacks on the Dasu Hydropower Project in November 2021 and March 2024, where several Pakistani and Chinese engineers lost their lives. These repeated incidents raised serious concerns over the safety of workers engaged in large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly those involving foreign partners and strategic energy development investments.
Officials explained that WAPDA projects were not originally included under the special security framework designed for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor initiatives. As a result, authorities decided to introduce a separate security mechanism to ensure consistent protection for hydropower schemes and other sensitive water infrastructure projects located in different regions of the country.
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Furthermore, the new force will function under a director general, likely appointed from the armed forces, and will operate with its own uniforms, insignia and organisational structure. It will work in coordination with the Pakistan Army, police, Rangers and Frontier Constabulary, depending on project location and threat level, ensuring unified security coverage across all notified areas.
In addition, the proposed framework will extend protection to Chinese nationals and other foreign experts working on key development projects, especially those linked to energy and water supply systems. Authorities believe the new structure will strengthen confidence among international partners while improving long-term security management for Pakistan’s strategic infrastructure development programmes.