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ISLAMABAD, Nov 04 (APP): The National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control on Tuesday recommended the passage of The Frontier Constabulary (Re-Organization) Bill, 2025, with amendments, following detailed deliberations on the government-sponsored legislation.
The meeting, chaired by Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz, MNA, convened at 11:00 a.m. in the Parliament House, Islamabad. Senior officials from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Law and Justice, and the Frontier Constabulary (FC) briefed the committee on the proposed restructuring aimed at improving the operational efficiency and administrative structure of the force.
The Commandant Frontier Constabulary presented a comprehensive overview of the Bill, tracing the FC’s historical evolution from the Border Military Police and Samana Rifles, established under the Frontier Constabulary Act of 1915. He explained that the reorganization, initially introduced through an ordinance on July 13, 2025, seeks to modernize the FC’s structure and better align its functions with emerging security requirements.
Under the proposed plan, the FC would be divided into two components — the Security Division and the Federal Reserve Division (FRD). The Commandant informed the committee that out of the sanctioned strength of 27,765 personnel, around 24,765 would serve in the Security Division, while 3,224 would constitute the newly formed FRD.
The FRD, he elaborated, would function as a permanent, Islamabad-based federal reserve force, comprising personnel from across Pakistan. It would be responsible for specialized riot control, protection duties, and rapid deployment to federal or provincial areas as needed. The reorganization, he said, would address long-standing challenges caused by frequent redeployments that affected operational continuity and accommodation logistics.
Recruitment for the FRD would follow a national quota system, with 20 percent each for the four provinces, 10 percent for Azad Jammu and Kashmir, 6 percent for Gilgit-Baltistan, and 4 percent for the Islamabad Capital Territory. Basic training would continue at Shabkadar, while specialized courses — including anti-riot and tactical operations — would be conducted at Sihala and other designated facilities, possibly with the involvement of inter-force and foreign trainers.
The security division would retain its current duties, such as providing security to diplomatic missions, federal installations, and national projects, along with supporting counter-terrorism operations. The Commandant emphasized that despite the structural changes, the FC would continue to function as a civil armed force under the administrative control of the Ministry of Interior, with no alteration in its legal status.
Committee members raised several questions concerning recruitment procedures, training standards, and the method of appointment for officers in the new FRD. In response, the Commandant clarified that initial appointments would be made through internal adjustments, while fresh recruitment would be introduced at a later stage to meet specialized needs.
The Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control, also present at the meeting, requested the committee’s endorsement for the Bill and assured that any technical or procedural concerns identified could be addressed during its consideration in the National Assembly.
Those in attendance included Anjum Aqeel Khan, Nosheen Iftikhar, Ch. Muhammad Shahbaz Babar, Haji Jamal Shah Kakar, Syed Rafiullah, Khawaja Izhar Ul Hassan, and Muhammad Ijaz-ul-Haq. Senior officials from the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, the Ministry of Law and Justice, and the Frontier Constabulary, including the Commandant and Deputy Commandant, were also present.
The committee concluded the session by recommending the Bill’s passage with amendments, marking a key step toward formalizing the long-awaited reorganization of the Frontier Constabulary.