WAPDA, the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority, was created in 1958 as a Semi-Autonomous Body for the purpose of coordinating and giving a unified direction to the development of schemes in Water and Power Sectors, which were previously being dealt with, by the respective Electricity and Irrigation Department of the Provinces.

The Charter of Duties of WAPDA is to investigate, plan and execute schemes for the following fields:

         - Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Power.

         - Irrigation, Water Supply and Drainage.

         - Prevention of Waterlogging and Reclamation of Waterlogged and Saline Lands.

         - Flood Management.