Government Clarifies Federal Constabulary Not a Police Force

On July 14, 2025, Pakistan’s federal government, through Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, clarified that the restructured Frontier Constabulary (FC)—now renamed the Federal Constabulary—is not a federal police force but a modernized paramilitary entity focused on enhancing internal security. The announcement was made during a press conference in Faisalabad, amid growing public interest and political debate over the new force’s mandate.

Speaking alongside FC Commandant Riaz Nazir Gara, Chaudhry stated, “The Federal Constabulary is not a police force; it remains a distinct security body,” according to The News International. The transformation, enacted under the Frontier Constabulary (Re-organisation) Ordinance, 2025, and signed by President Asif Ali Zardari, expands the FC’s operational jurisdiction beyond its historical role in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to include all provinces as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The revamped force will consist of 41 wings, including 36 under the Security Division, with additional units for riot control and special protection. It will be responsible for managing internal security, riot control, counter-terrorism, and assisting civil law enforcement agencies. According to Dawn, the ordinance grants the Federal Constabulary powers under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1898, and the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, enabling it to support police operations without replacing the police.

Commandant Gara emphasized the importance of modernizing the force, stating, “Our 423 fallen heroes deserve a force with modern capabilities and fair pay,” as reported by Geo News. The restructuring also includes improved training, better compensation, and more equitable recruitment across the country, moving away from its KP-only composition to a nationwide, multi-ethnic force.

Despite assurances, opposition groups such as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) have raised concerns about the ordinance. PTI has announced plans to hold protests on August 5, fearing the new force may be used for political purposes, according to Reuters. In response, Chaudhry said, “This is a defensive reform, not a political tool,” and urged critics to read the ordinance before making assumptions, as reported by Islamabad Post.

The creation of the Federal Constabulary reflects Pakistan’s evolving approach to internal security. By standardizing structure, improving benefits, and granting clearly defined legal powers, the government aims to build a more capable and accountable force to meet today’s security challenges. The reform emphasizes national stability and non-partisan governance, reinforcing Pakistan’s role as a responsible regional partner.