ISLAMABAD: The Water and Power Development Authority has informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Water Resources that it needs a dedicated internal security force to protect its major projects, WAPDA Houses, and visiting international delegations, as the traditional watchman system is no longer viable.
Under the proposed plan, the force will be led by a Director General, who will be a Grade-20 retired officer from either the military or the police.
The Director General will have the authority to issue standing operational orders for project security.
However, the legal mandate to establish the force and formulate its governing rules rests entirely with the Federal Government.
To ensure cost efficiency, personnel will be hired on contract with no pension benefits, though WAPDA may also engage guards from private security companies.
The force will undergo formal training and wear an official uniform.
To prevent operational disruptions, employees will be strictly prohibited from forming unions or participating in strikes, and they cannot hold external employment.
Regarding legal powers, force personnel will have the authority to make arrests within WAPDA premises and project sites.
However, all arrested individuals will be turned over to the local district police, who will handle the legal cases and prosecution.
Highlighting the scale of current security needs, WAPDA noted that around 2,500 security personnel are presently deployed at the Diamer Basha Dam site alone.
