Pakistan Establishes New Paramilitary Force Amid Imran Khan’s Protest Plans

Pakistan’s government has announced the creation of a new national paramilitary force, the Federal Constabulary, to bolster internal security as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, prepares for nationwide protests starting August 5, 2025. This move, which repurposes the existing Frontier Constabulary (FC), has sparked concerns among opposition groups and human rights advocates, who fear it could be used to suppress political dissent.

The Federal Constabulary, as outlined by State Minister for the Interior Talal Chaudhry during a press conference in Faisalabad, will replace the Frontier Constabulary, previously focused on Pakistan’s northwestern border with Afghanistan. Chaudhry emphasized the need for a modernized force to address internal security, riot control, and counter-terrorism, citing the approval of President Asif Ali Zardari for legal amendments to enable this transition. “We need this force for internal security,” Chaudhry stated, highlighting plans to align its training with national law enforcement standards.

Imran Khan’s PTI has decried the move as a potential tool for political repression. PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari called for parliamentary debate, arguing that such significant changes demand transparent discussion. The party’s “Free Imran Khan Movement,” already underway in Lahore, seeks to pressure the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which PTI claims is complicit in Khan’s politically motivated imprisonment. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has further accused the military of imposing an “unofficial martial law,” intensifying the rhetoric as protests loom. The government’s response, including warnings from Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari against Khan’s sons joining the protests, suggests a readiness to crack down on dissent.

This development signals a deepening divide between Pakistan’s government and PTI’s fervent supporters. As the August 5 protests approach, the Federal Constabulary’s formation could escalate tensions, potentially undermining democratic freedoms under the guise of security. The nation watches closely as this political showdown unfolds, with stability hanging in the balance.