NA panel passes bill for FC reorganisation

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control Tuesday recommended the “The Frontier Constabulary (Re-Organization) Bill, 2025” by majority vote for passage.

The committee met here at the Parliament House, with Raja Khurram Shehzad Nawaz MNA in the chair. The committee considered the bill in detail and recommended its passage with amendments. Agha Rafiullah opposed the bill, while PMLN and MQM members supported it.

Commandant Frontier Constabulary (FC) explained the rationale for reorganization and highlighted significant changes introduced through the ordinance issued on 13 July 2025.

The main proposal pertains to the division of Frontier Constabulary into two distinct components — the Security Division and Federal Reserve Division (FRD). The committee was informed that the total sanctioned strength of the force was 27,765 personnel, out of which 24,765 would remain in the Security Division, while approximately 3,224 would form the FRD.

The FRD would function as a permanent, Islamabad-based, multi-ethnic federal reserve force tasked with specialized riot control, special protection duties and rapid deployment to federal territories or provinces when required.

The reorganization aims to minimize frequent redeployments that previously impacted operational stability and accommodation logistics.

The commandant further elaborated that recruitment for the FRD would be conducted on a national quota basis — allocating 20% each for the four provinces, 6% for Gilgit-Baltistan, 10% for Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and 4% for Islamabad Capital Territory.

“Basic training would be imparted at Shabqadar facility, whereas specialized training for anti-riot and other operations would take place at Sihala and other designated centres, potentially involving inter-force and foreign trainers,” he told the committee.

The Security Division would retain its existing responsibilities, including the security of diplomatic missions, federal installations, national projects and assistance in counter-terrorism operations, while the FRD would focus primarily on specialized riot control and protection duties.

The commandant emphasized that the FC would remain a civil armed force under the administrative control of the Ministry of Interior, with no change to its legal status apart from the structural reorganization.

During the discussion, the members sought clarifications on various procedural and administrative matters. Queries were raised about the recruitment standards, training protocols, and whether officer posts in the FRD would be filled through promotions or fresh recruitment.

The commandant clarified that initial appointments would be made from within the existing cadre, while specialized recruitment would be introduced at a later stage.

Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Talal Chaudhry was also present and requested that the committee recommend the bill for passage.

He assured that any technical points or procedural gaps, if identified, could be addressed during the consideration of the bill in the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, PPP MNA Sayed Rafiullah also formally submitted a dissenting note on the bill, expressing strong reservations about the proposed conversion of the existing Frontier Constabulary into a federal-level force. Under the ordinance, the existing FC is to be reorganised as a national federal force, a move Syed Rafiullah termed “unilateral and without provincial consultation”. He warned that it could undermine provincial autonomy and affect the constitutional balance of power between the federation and the provinces.