Lawmakers voice concern over Wapda’s proposed ‘powers of arrest’

ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers have expressed reservations over the powers of arrest contained in the proposed Wapda Security Force (WSF) Act 2026, which could allow its personnel to detain individuals within a 1km radius of any project or installation.

During a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Water Resources, PPP members Javed Ali Shah and Saba Talpur voiced concern over the use of the ‘force’ terminology, recalling Sup­reme Court orders that forbade the creation of any new security age­n­­cy using the term ‘force’ in its name. In response, Wapda Chairman retired Gen Muhammad Saeed told the panel the bill’s language had been discussed with provincial governments, and the…