Islamabad – July 13, 2025: The federal government is reportedly moving ahead with plans to transform the Frontier Constabulary (FC) into a nationwide federal law enforcement agency, expanding its mandate far beyond its traditional provincial borders, according to official sources cited in a confidential report.
The transformation aims to centralize internal security operations, strengthen counterterrorism capabilities, and standardize law enforcement practices across provinces under federal command—an unprecedented move in Pakistan’s policing structure.
Key Objectives of the Restructuring
According to the report:
- The FC will become a uniform federal force, similar in status to the FIA and Rangers
- Its operations will cover all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir
- The force will be retrained and re-equipped to respond to modern security threats
- Jurisdiction will include border management, counterterrorism, riot control, and urban policing support
The decision follows a series of high-level security reviews amid rising threats from militant outfits and cross-border terrorism.
Why This Matters
Historically, the Frontier Constabulary has been limited to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s border regions, functioning as a paramilitary auxiliary between police and army. This shift reflects:
- A move toward greater federal control over internal security
- Efforts to standardize training and protocols across law enforcement agencies
- Government intent to bolster rapid deployment capacity nationwide
Concerns and Reactions
While the security establishment is said to be supportive, critics and provincial authorities have raised concerns over constitutional implications, particularly regarding:
- Provincial autonomy under Article 142 and 143
- Possible overlap with provincial police and Rangers
- Chain-of-command clarity in conflict zones or emergencies
Civil rights advocates are also urging transparency over how the FC’s expanded powers will be checked and balanced under a democratic framework.
Implementation Timeline
The federal interior ministry is expected to table the restructuring bill in Parliament later this year, with implementation targeted for early 2026, pending legal and financial approvals.
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