Latest news with #FederalConstabulary
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan's new federal force sparks fears of political repression ahead of Khan party protests
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's transformation of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) border paramilitary force into a federal force ahead of planned protests by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's party this week sparked fears of political repression in the country, with opposition members and analysts saying the new nationwide force could be used as a 'tool to suppress political opponents.' Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari allowed the government to turn Frontier Constabulary into the national security force, called Federal Constabulary, through an ordinance on Monday in order to support law enforcement agencies and to address evolving security challenges across the South Asian country. The paramilitary force was initially formed to uphold law and order in border and frontier regions, according to the ordinance. However, the evolving conditions, marked by frequent emergencies, natural disasters, civil disturbances and other emerging risks, created the need for a more flexible and capable force to effectively respond to these challenges. The move has raised concerns among opposition parties, particularly Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which fears that the new force could be used as a means of political repression amid its 90-day anti-government protest movement, announced on July 13. 'From the looks of it, it's a safe assumption that such laws are being inflicted, just ahead of political movement announced by PTI, as a tool to suppress political opponents,' Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari, a close Khan aide, told Arab News. Pakistan ranks as the second-most affected country by militancy, according to The Global Terrorism Index 2025. Militancy-related deaths surged by 45 percent, rising from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024, marking one of the steepest global increases. The attacks in Pakistan more than doubled, from 517 in 2023 to 1,099 in 2024. The new duties of the Federal Constabulary, whose cadres were previously recruited only from tribes in the northwestern KP province, will include internal security, riot control and counter-terrorism. The government's move to transform the force came ahead of planned protests by Khan's PTI on Aug. 5, the second anniversary of his arrest. Several such protests by the party since Khan's brief arrest in May 2023 have turned violent, in some cases paralyzing the capital Islamabad for days. In the near future, PTI's Bukhari said, it would be clear if the law was being introduced to, in fact, address security challenges or to stop any political movement that could endanger the existence of the 'current, so-called democracy.' 'The new force should not be used as a gimmick to silence political opponents as has been previously witnessed, when the government applied such laws against a large number of the PTI leadership and supporters,' he added. Khan's party has been protesting to secure to secure his release and an audit of the Fed. 2024 general election, which it says was rigged to benefit its opponents. Pakistan's election authorities deny the allegation, while the government accuses Khan's party of attempting to disrupt its efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth through violent protests. Ali Imtiaz Warraich, the PTI parliamentary leader in the Punjab Assembly, said 'crushing the public mandate' would never result in stability of the country. 'Federal and Punjab governments' only focus is PTI and all actions taken are only PTI-centered,' he told Arab News, adding that it had not worked in past, nor would it work in future. However, Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the Federal Constabulary should not be mistaken for a federal police force. 'It will continue to function as a constabulary as the restructuring and renaming are solely aimed at strengthening internal and national security,' he said this week, adding the overhaul was institutionally essential to enhance coordination, improve compensation and build operational capacity of the force throughout all provinces and territories. 'This is entirely a defense-oriented initiative intended to reinforce national security by supporting law enforcement agencies,' he added. Chaudhry stated the restructuring was also an administrative necessity as despite its significant contributions, the force had long been overlooked and continued to function with limited salaries and benefits compared to other security forces in Pakistan. 'Its transformation into a federal force is to eliminate existing disparities by upgrading its structure and scope under the new title,' he said, adding the reorganization was aimed at ensuring that FC personnel receive salaries, training and benefits at par with other national security forces. Under the new federal framework, FC's jurisdiction would extend across all four provinces as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, according to the minister. 'While continuing to perform its duties under this redefined structure, the Federal Constabulary will build on its longstanding role in combating drug trafficking and smuggling and in assisting civil law enforcement during sensitive occasions such as Muharram, general elections and anti-polio campaigns,' he said. Arab News spoke to some analysts about the government's move, who voiced concerns about the timing, intent and potential misuse of the new force. 'There is always a risk of such a force being misused in Pakistan,' Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, president of the Islamabad-based think tank Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), told Arab News. 'The Frontier Constabulary was already under federal control, so it's unclear why this transformation was necessary, especially at a time when the country's major opposition party has announced a protest movement.' Ather Kazmi, an analyst and political commentator, said the urgency with which the revamp was carried out through an ordinance had raised many eyebrows. 'Although the government claimed it was an administrative necessity, its timing and urgency have led PTI and others to believe it has political purposes,' he told Arab News. Kazmi said it remained to be seen how the new force would operate after its jurisdiction was extended nationwide, given that law and order became a provincial subject after the 18th amendment of the Constitution of Pakistan. 'It would not be easy for the government to deploy this force in provinces governed by the opposition, such as KP,' he noted.
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PTI assails govt for turning FC into nationwide federal force
ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, on Tuesday tore into the federal government's decision to turn the Frontier Constabulary (FC) into a national federal force – slamming it as a power grab that tramples provincial rights and echoes the strong-arm tactics of past dictators. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he said the restructuring of the FC into a 'Federal Constabulary' was part of a broader attempt by what he described as the 'installed hybrid regime' to undermine Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Ayub said the conversion would 'bury the 18th Amendment for good,' referring to the landmark 2010 constitutional reform that devolved significant powers to the provinces. He likened the move to former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's creation of the Federal Security Force (FSF) in the 1970s, calling it an 'instrument of terror' used to suppress political opposition and control provinces. 'This hybrid regime is launching the renamed Federal Constabulary to target KP,' Ayub said. 'It wants to keep KP in check because there is a PTI government there and to trample upon provincial rights.' The government move follows the promulgation of the Frontier Constabulary (Reorganization) Ordinance, 2025, by President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday. Under the new law, the FC will be re-branded as the Federal Constabulary, with a broader mandate to maintain law and order and coordinate security operations across the country. The timing of the ordinance has raised eyebrows, coming weeks before the PTI's planned nationwide protests on August 5. Critics say the measure infringes on provincial autonomy and sidesteps parliamentary oversight. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, executive director of the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat), said the government bypassed due process. 'If it had gone through the usual legislative process, the bill would have been discussed in a standing committee. This approach shows the government was avoiding opposition input,' he said. Legal experts, however, said it was too early to assess the full legal impact of the ordinance, as the complete text has not yet been made public. A senior KP police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the FC – established in 1913 through the merger of the Border Police and Samana Rifles – has long served as a culturally embedded force, with personnel drawn from over 30 tribes and sub-tribes native to the region. He warned that restructuring the FC under centralised federal control risks eroding its effectiveness and local legitimacy. 'This could weaken the force's historic role as a community-rooted institution tailored to the region's unique security dynamics,' he said. He also raised concerns about political motives behind the move, suggesting it reflects an effort by Punjab-based civil and military leadership to consolidate power over regional institutions. 'The Frontier Constabulary is more than a paramilitary force – it is a symbol of regional identity and trust,' he said. 'Its legacy must be preserved, not sacrificed for political expediency.' He called for a public debate, particularly involving representatives from KP and the former tribal districts, urging the government to reconsider implementing changes that could alter the FC's historic mandate. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan to create new paramilitary force ahead of protests by Imran Khan's party
The announcement came after PTI party said it would stage nationwide protests starting on Aug 5, the second anniversary of Imran Khan's arrest ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Monday it was creating a national paramilitary force, prompting concern among opposition parties and human rights groups that it could be used as a tool of political repression. The move turns an existing paramilitary force deployed on Pakistan's northwestern border with Afghanistan into a national security force that will be called the Federal Constabulary, state minister for the interior Talal Chaudhry told a press conference in the eastern city of Faisalabad. Its new duties will include internal security, riot control and counter-terrorism, according to a copy of the amended law reported by the local Dunya News TV. The announcement came after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of former jailed PM Imran Khan said it would stage nationwide protests starting on Aug 5, the second anniversary of his arrest. Several such protests since his Aug 2023 arrest have turned violent, in some cases paralysing the capital Islamabad for days. 'This will be a new force. This will be a stronger force. We need this force for internal security,' Chaudhry said, adding that President Asif Ali Zardari had already approved amendments in the law introducing changes in the paramilitary force. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The new force replaces the Frontier Constabulary (FC), whose cadres were previously recruited only from tribes in the northwestern province, Chaudhry said. Training of the new force will bring it into line with other national law enforcement agencies, he added. Khan's party spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari said the changes should be subject to parliamentary discussion. The new force 'should not be used as a gimmick to silence political opponents, as has been previously witnessed when the government applied such laws against a large number of the PTI leadership and supporters,' he said. His concern was echoed by Haris Khalique, secretary of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, an independent body. 'We are alarmed by the changes being made to the security and law enforcement structure of the country without any debate in parliament,' Khalique said. REUTERS
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
President renames FC as Federal Constabulary with nationwide powers
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has issued the Frontier Constabulary Reorganization Ordinance 2025, officially renaming the force as the Federal Constabulary. According to the ordinance, the jurisdiction of the Federal Constabulary will now extend across the entire country, including all four provinces, Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. The ordinance follows amendments to the Frontier Constabulary Act of 1915. The Inspector General of the Federal Constabulary will be appointed by the federal government. Rules for the functioning of the force will be framed, and each division will have a wing commander equivalent to the rank of Deputy Inspector General. The federal government will also have the authority to recruit a Federal Reserve Force to maintain law and order. The Federal Constabulary will be responsible for riot control, internal security, counter-terrorism, and providing protection. Under the ordinance, the Federal Constabulary will have a dedicated Security Division and a Federal Reserve Division. Recruitment offices will be established across the country, and the force will be commanded by officers from the Police Service of Pakistan under a reorganization framework. The ordinance applies to every member of the Federal Constabulary and is effective immediately. The federal government will oversee and control the force and can deploy it as a reserve to support Islamabad Police, provincial police, and other law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the Federal Constabulary will have powers under the Criminal Procedure Code of 1898, the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997, and the Police Order of 2002. The government may also grant any member of the force police-like powers and responsibilities under applicable laws.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Minister denies politics inFC revamp
Minister of State for Interior and senior PMLN leader Senator Talal Chaudhary has said that Frontier Constabulary (FC) is being restructured and renamed Federal Constabulary only to bolster internal and national security of Pakistan. He was addressing a news conference at the Deputy Commissioner's office on Monday. FC Commandant Riaz Nazir Gara was also present. The minister's statement came a day after President Asif Ali Zardari promulgated an ordinance empowering the federal government to transform the FC, a border security force, into the Federal Constabulary to maintain law and order, supplement the law enforcement agencies, and address the diverse security needs in a coordinated manner. "This will be a new force. This will be a stronger force. We need this force for internal security," Chaudhry said, adding that the president had already approved amendments in the law introducing changes in the paramilitary force. The decision to revamp FC prompts concern among opposition parties and human rights groups that it could be used as a tool of political repression. The minister; however, said that revamping of FC is not a politically-motivated decision but it is an institutional necessity to improve coordination, compensation and capability of this force across all provinces and territories of Pakistan. It is purely a defence-related issue to strengthen national defence by providing support to the law enforcement agencies, he added. He said that the FC had played a pivotal role in maintaining peace and security within the country and along its borders for nearly a century, yet this force has not been accorded the recognition and benefits comparable to other security forces in Pakistan. He lamented that despite limited salaries and fewer privileges, FC personnel have consistently served the nation with unwavering dedication. "Now Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi have decided to transform FC into a federal force to address the disparity with upgraded structure and scope under the new name of Federal Constabulary," he added. He clarified that while the name is being changed, the identity and core function of the FC as a constabulary remain intact. The restructuring would help ensure that its personnel receive salaries, training and benefits equal to those of other national security forces, he added. He said that the FC has long involvement in combating drug trafficking, smuggling and supporting civil law enforcement agencies during sensitive events like Muharram, elections and anti-polio campaigns. Now it would continue to carry out these responsibilities under its new federal framework, he added. He said that with the reorganisation, the jurisdiction of Federal Constabulary would be expanded to include all four provinces as well as Gilgit/Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. He said that recruitment will be opened to all citizens from across the country and the federal government would bear all operational and financial responsibilities, relieving the provinces of any budgetary burden. The FC revamp would include updated training modules, capacity-building initiatives and a modernized command structure designed to uplift the morale and effectiveness of its personnel, he added. FC Commandant Riaz Nazir Gara provided historical context and said that the FC was established in 1913, originally known as the North-West Frontier Constabulary. It was operated under an act that is now over 100 years old. Recognising the urgent need for reform, he said that the FC would be realigned into a more robust and federally managed institution with clearly defined command tiers including platoons, companies and wings. He said that the FC has 41 wings and its 36 wings are currently deployed under the security division. The revamped structure would streamline these units for improving efficiency, he added. Commandant Gara disclosed that 423 FC personnel have laid down their lives in the line of duty which is a testament to the commitment and sacrifice of this force. The reorganisation would help honor these sacrifices by providing a better command structure, improved facilities and clearer career pathways for FC members, he added. The State Minister and FC Commandant both urged the public, media and stakeholders to carefully read the new ordinance related to the Federal Constabulary to avoid misconceptions. This transformation is a strategic and institutional reform which would help address the internal security challenges and enhance operational capability of one of the oldest law enforcement bodies of the country, they added. Meanwhile, the development prompted concern among opposition parties and human rights groups that it could be used as a tool of political repression. The announcement came after the PTI said it would stage nationwide protests starting on August 5, the second anniversary of party founder Imran Khan's arrest. Several such protests since his August 2023 arrest have turned violent, in some cases paralysing the capital Islamabad for days. PTI leader Zulfikar Bukhari said the changes should be subject to parliamentary discussion. The new force "should not be used as a gimmick to silence political opponents, as has been previously witnessed when the government applied such laws against the PTI leadership and supporters", he said. His concern was echoed by Haris Khalique, secretary of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. "We are alarmed by the changes being made to the security and law enforcement structure of the country without any debate in parliament," Khalique said.
