Pakistan to create new force ahead of more protests by PTI

The federal government said 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.

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The federal government said that the newly-designated Federal Constabulary (FC), previously Frontier Constabulary, should not be confused with a federal police force and the change is only aimed at restructuring the force in line with the modern-day requirements.

"No one should be confused about the FC being a federal police. The FC will remain FC," Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said at a presser alongside FC Commandant Riaz Nazir Gara.

The remarks came after President Asif Ali Zardari promulgated the Frontier Constabulary (Re-organisation) Ordinance, 2025 under Article 89 of the Constitution - officially transforming the Frontier Constabulary into Federal Constabulary.

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, Talal Chaudhry told a press conference in 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.