Government plans industrial security force, declares industrial areas ‘Peace Zones’

The government has prepared a Private Investment Protection and Promotion Strategy that includes provisions for establishing an Industrial Security Force and declaring areas housing industries as “peace zones.” According to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies , the strategy was formulated following incidents of vandalism, looting, arson and theft at private industries, business establishments and commercial structures during the Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9, 2025.

A report prepared by the National Planning Commission estimates that public and private establishments suffered physical damage worth around Rs 84 billion during the movement. The government had announced, in its governance reform action plan approved on March 26, that it would formulate and implement a strategy for the protection and promotion of the private sector.