In a significant restructuring move, the federal government has officially transformed the Frontier Constabulary (FC) into the Federal Constabulary, clarifying that this development does not equate to the creation of a federal police force. Instead, the initiative is aimed at overhauling the organizational structure and expanding the operational capabilities of the force to meet modern-day security needs.
The announcement was made by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry during a joint press conference with Federal Constabulary Commandant Riaz Nazir Gara. The clarification followed the promulgation of the Frontier Constabulary (Re-organisation) Ordinance, 2025 by President Asif Ali Zardari under Article 89 of the Constitution.
FC Will Remain FC, Says Minister
Talal Chaudhry addressed public confusion regarding the nature of the rebranding, stating clearly:
No one should confuse that this is a federal police. It’s Federal Constabulary. FC will remain FC.
The minister emphasized that although the name has changed, the fundamental role of the force remains intact. The Federal Constabulary will continue to function under the jurisdiction of the federal government and will operate similarly to other law enforcement agencies in Pakistan.
He further elaborated that new wings will be created in line with the demands of contemporary security challenges, and recruitment will be nationwide, making it a multi-ethnic national force. The revamped FC will be structured similarly to the Pakistan Rangers and police, enhancing both its operational efficiency and command hierarchy.
Ordinance Promulgation and Parliamentary Debate
The ordinance was issued through presidential powers because parliament is not in session during July. However, Talal Chaudhry assured that the reorganisation ordinance will be thoroughly debated in parliament once sessions resume. The reorganisation is not just cosmetic; it introduces structural, administrative, and operational reforms aimed at improving internal security mechanisms.
Federal and Provincial Collaboration
Addressing the deployment and jurisdiction of the force, the interior minister said that provincial governments will retain the authority to determine the powers of the FC whenever its services are requested. This ensures that while the force operates under the federal umbrella, local governance and regional requirements are respected.
Restructuring Details by Commandant Riaz Nazir Gara
Providing in-depth insight into the reorganisation, Commandant Riaz Nazir Gara revealed that the Federal Constabulary will consist of 41 operational wings, broken down into two main divisions:
- Security Division – Comprising 36 wings, this division includes the current operational strength of the former Frontier Constabulary.
- Federal Reserve Division – Comprising 5 Riot Support Wings and 1 Special Protection Wing, this division will handle crowd control, riot response, and protection of key installations and offices.
Gara emphasized that the core objective of this structural overhaul is to boost morale, improve the command hierarchy, and enhance operational readiness across all units.
Composition and Representation
According to the ordinance, the Federal Reserve Division is envisioned as a diverse and inclusive national force with the following ethnic composition:
- 20% from each federating unit: Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan
- 10% from Azad Jammu and Kashmir
- 6% from Gilgit-Baltistan
- 4% from the Islamabad Capital Territory
The Security Division will continue to include personnel appointed through traditional recruitment channels and governed by internal regulations.
Legal Authority and Jurisdiction
The Federal Constabulary will now operate under enhanced legal authority, empowered by:
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898
- Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997
- Police Order, 2002
- Any additional laws currently in force
The ordinance enables the federal government to grant powers and duties to FC personnel equivalent to those held by any police officer under relevant laws. This allows the FC to perform a broader range of security, law enforcement, and counterterrorism functions when deployed.
Establishment of Regional Headquarters
To improve command and control, the Federal Constabulary has also been authorized to establish regional headquarters in areas where its services are required. This decentralization will facilitate better field-level coordination, faster response times, and streamlined administrative oversight.
The transformation of the Frontier Constabulary into the Federal Constabulary represents a bold and strategic move by the federal government to modernize internal security forces. While maintaining its non-police identity, the newly structured force is now better equipped to handle a wide spectrum of national security responsibilities, from riot control and counterterrorism to protection of vital infrastructure. With parliamentary oversight promised, the development signifies a forward-looking approach to law enforcement reform in Pakistan.
