Pakistan’s new federal force sparks fears of political repression ahead of Khan party protests

Pakistan Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel stand guard in front the Election Commission office in Islamabad on February 9, 2024. (AFP/File)
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Updated 16 July 2025
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Pakistan’s new federal force sparks fears of political repression ahead of Khan party protests

  • The Pakistani government says new force should not be mistaken for federal police, calls the move an ‘administrative necessity’
  • Analyst says it remains to be seen how the new force will operate nationwide, given that law and order became a provincial subject

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s transformation of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) border paramilitary force into a federal force ahead of planned protests by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s party this week sparked fears of political repression in the country, with opposition members and analysts saying the new nationwide force could be used as a “tool to suppress political opponents.”

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari allowed the government to turn Frontier Constabulary into the national security force, called Federal Constabulary, through an ordinance on Monday in order to support law enforcement agencies and to address evolving security challenges across the South Asian country.

The paramilitary force was initially formed to uphold law and order in border and frontier regions, according to the ordinance. However, the evolving conditions, marked by frequent emergencies, natural disasters, civil disturbances and other emerging risks, created the need for a more flexible and capable force to effectively respond to these challenges.

The move has raised concerns among opposition parties, particularly Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which fears that the new force could be used as a means of political repression amid its 90-day anti-government protest movement, announced on July 13.

“From the looks of it, it’s a safe assumption that such laws are being inflicted, just ahead of political movement announced by PTI, as a tool to suppress political opponents,” Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari, a close Khan aide, told Arab News.




Frontier Constabulary (FC) personel detains a supporter of former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan, during a protest a day after the assassination attempt on Khan, in Islamabad on November 4, 2022. (AFP/File)

Pakistan ranks as the second-most affected country by militancy, according to The Global Terrorism Index 2025. Militancy-related deaths surged by 45 percent, rising from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024, marking one of the steepest global increases. The attacks in Pakistan more than doubled, from 517 in 2023 to 1,099 in 2024.

The new duties of the Federal Constabulary, whose cadres were previously recruited only from tribes in the northwestern KP province, will include internal security, riot control and counter-terrorism.

The government’s move to transform the force came ahead of planned protests by Khan’s PTI on Aug. 5, the second anniversary of his arrest. Several such protests by the party since Khan’s brief arrest in May 2023 have turned violent, in some cases paralyzing the capital Islamabad for days.

In the near future, PTI’s Bukhari said, it would be clear if the law was being introduced to, in fact, address security challenges or to stop any political movement that could endanger the existence of the “current, so-called democracy.”

“The new force should not be used as a gimmick to silence political opponents as has been previously witnessed, when the government applied such laws against a large number of the PTI leadership and supporters,” he added.

Khan’s party has been protesting to secure to secure his release and an audit of the Fed. 2024 general election, which it says was rigged to benefit its opponents. Pakistan’s election authorities deny the allegation, while the government accuses Khan’s party of attempting to disrupt its efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth through violent protests.

Ali Imtiaz Warraich, the PTI parliamentary leader in the Punjab Assembly, said “crushing the public mandate” would never result in stability of the country.

“Federal and Punjab governments’ only focus is PTI and all actions taken are only PTI-centered,” he told Arab News, adding that it had not worked in past, nor would it work in future.

However, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the Federal Constabulary should not be mistaken for a federal police force.

“It will continue to function as a constabulary as the restructuring and renaming are solely aimed at strengthening internal and national security,” he said this week, adding the overhaul was institutionally essential to enhance coordination, improve compensation and build operational capacity of the force throughout all provinces and territories.

“This is entirely a defense-oriented initiative intended to reinforce national security by supporting law enforcement agencies,” he added.




Frontier Constabulary (FC) security personnel stand guard on a road, during an anti-government "Azadi March" led by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, in Islamabad on October 31, 2019. (AFP/File)

Chaudhry stated the restructuring was also an administrative necessity as despite its significant contributions, the force had long been overlooked and continued to function with limited salaries and benefits compared to other security forces in Pakistan.

“Its transformation into a federal force is to eliminate existing disparities by upgrading its structure and scope under the new title,” he said, adding the reorganization was aimed at ensuring that FC personnel receive salaries, training and benefits at par with other national security forces.

Under the new federal framework, FC’s jurisdiction would extend across all four provinces as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, according to the minister.

“While continuing to perform its duties under this redefined structure, the Federal Constabulary will build on its longstanding role in combating drug trafficking and smuggling and in assisting civil law enforcement during sensitive occasions such as Muharram, general elections and anti-polio campaigns,” he said.

Arab News spoke to some analysts about the government’s move, who voiced concerns about the timing, intent and potential misuse of the new force.

“There is always a risk of such a force being misused in Pakistan,” Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, president of the Islamabad-based think tank Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), told Arab News.

“The Frontier Constabulary was already under federal control, so it’s unclear why this transformation was necessary, especially at a time when the country’s major opposition party has announced a protest movement.”

Ather Kazmi, an analyst and political commentator, said the urgency with which the revamp was carried out through an ordinance had raised many eyebrows.

“Although the government claimed it was an administrative necessity, its timing and urgency have led PTI and others to believe it has political purposes,” he told Arab News.

Kazmi said it remained to be seen how the new force would operate after its jurisdiction was extended nationwide, given that law and order became a provincial subject after the 18th amendment of the Constitution of Pakistan.

“It would not be easy for the government to deploy this force in provinces governed by the opposition, such as KP,” he noted.


50th International Seerat Conference in Islamabad to focus on youth, social media — ministry 

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50th International Seerat Conference in Islamabad to focus on youth, social media — ministry 

  • Annual Seerat-un-Nabi Conference to celebrate Prophet Muhammad’s life will focus on guiding youth in positive use of social media
  • Government says events during Rabi-ul-Awwal aim to promote awareness of prophetic teachings among younger generations

Islamabad: The 50th International Seerat-un-Nabi Conference will be held in Islamabad this year, focusing on the role of the state in guiding young people on the positive use of social media in light of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the country’s religious affairs minister said on Thursday.

The Seerat-un-Nabi Conference is Pakistan’s largest annual religious gathering dedicated to discussions on the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Organized each year by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, it coincides with the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, which Muslims commemorate as the month of the Prophet’s birth. This year’s edition carries added significance as it will be the 50th conference and part of nationwide observances to mark the 1500th year since the Prophet’s birth.

Rabi’ Al-Awwal 2025 is expected to begin on Aug. 24, 2025, depending on the sighting of the moon. The 12th of Rabi’ Al-Awwal, which is the date of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (the Prophet’s birthday), will be on Sept. 4. The Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, so the exact dates can vary based on moon sightings.

“The conference’s theme is ‘State responsibilities in the teaching and training for the beneficial use of social media in the light of the Seerat-un-Nabi,’” Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf was quoted as saying in a statement released by his office. 

The minister made the remarks while chairing an inter-provincial meeting in Islamabad attended by representatives from federal and provincial religious affairs departments, as well as secretaries from Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

At the meeting, officials also finalized plans for the Ashra Rehmat-ul-lil-Alameen (Decade of Mercy to the Worlds), to be marked from 1–12 Rabi-ul-Awwal with events nationwide.

Yousaf said the purpose of the Ashra was to promote greater awareness of the Prophet’s life and guidance: 

“Students of modern educational institutions and religious seminaries will hold joint programs where young people can express their views.”

He added that efforts must be made to find solutions to contemporary challenges by following prophetic teachings: 

“We must protect our education, economy, social values, and family system from being affected in the present age. The deterioration in society is due to not following the Uswa-e-Nabavi (the exemplary life of the Prophet).”

The minister emphasized that it was the collective duty of Muslims to spread the Prophet’s message. 

“In today’s era of social media, it has become even easier to spread the message of Islam,” Yousaf added.
 


Pakistan gets offers in 200,000 tons sugar tender, traders say

Updated 15 min 10 sec ago
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Pakistan gets offers in 200,000 tons sugar tender, traders say

  • Lowest offer in tender quoted at $560 per ton c&f, with bids still under review
  • Pakistan plans to import 500,000 tons overall after retail sugar prices surged sharply

HAMBURG: The lowest price offered in an international tender from Pakistan to buy 200,000 metric tons of sugar on Thursday was believed to be $560 a metric ton cost and freight included (c&f), European traders said in initial assessments.

Offers in the tender from the state trading agency Trading Corporation of Pakistan are still being considered and no purchase has yet been reported, they said.

The TCP can negotiate for several days in tenders before deciding whether to purchase.

The lowest offer was said to have been submitted by trading house Bare for small grade sugar. Bare also offered $580 for medium grade sugar, with a total 187,000 tons offered.

Three tender participants all offered 25,000 tons of small grade sugar: Sucden at $579, Dreyfus at $581.50 and Cofco at $592 all per ton c&f.

ED&F Man offered 32,000 tons of small grade at $579 a ton c&f and also 27,400 tons of small grade at $569 a ton c&f.

Al Khaleej Sugar was believed to have offered 60,000 tons of small grade at $572.30 and 30,000 tons of medium grade at $582.30 a ton c&f.

The TCP’s tender seeks price offers for fine, small and medium grade sugar, all for arrival in Pakistan by October 31.

Pakistan’s government has approved plans to import 500,000 tons of sugar to help to maintain price stability after retail sugar prices in the country rose sharply.

The TCP bought a total of 105,000 tons in its previous sugar tender reported on August 14.

Reports reflect assessments from traders and further estimates of prices and volumes are still possible later. 


China, Pakistan set upgraded CPEC as top priority during strategic dialogue in Islamabad

Updated 10 min 22 sec ago
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China, Pakistan set upgraded CPEC as top priority during strategic dialogue in Islamabad

  • Wang Yi says cooperation to expand into green, innovation and livelihood corridors
  • Dar confirms PM Shehbaz Sharif to visit China for SCO summit, hold talks with Xi

ISLAMABAD: China and Pakistan on Thursday said they would prioritize “high-quality” cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), unveiling plans for an upgraded version of the multibillion-dollar flagship Belt and Road project. 

The CPEC infrastructure program was launched in 2015 and includes energy projects, highways, railways and the development of the Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea, aimed at improving connectivity between western China and the Indian Ocean while boosting Pakistan’s infrastructure and economy.

“The two sides agree that the current priority for China-Pakistan cooperation is high-quality CPEC cooperation and build an upgraded version of CPEC,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters during a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar after they held strategic talks in Islamabad, covering trade, security, counterterrorism and preparations for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China later this month. 

“We will build on our past achievements to build a growth corridor, a livelihood enhancing corridor, an innovation corridor, a green corridor and an open corridor to promote greater synergy between the five corridors with Pakistan’s development planning.”

Wang said China would also deepen cooperation in industry, agriculture and mining to improve welfare and boost Pakistan’s ability for self-sustained development. 

“We will also jointly support the development and operation of the Gwadar Port and promote the KKH realignment project in an orderly manner and we welcome third-party participation in ML1 project,” the Chinese foreign minister added.

He was referring to upgrading the Karakoram Highway, the main road link between Pakistan and China through the Himalayas, and the Main Line-1 railway project, a massive plan to upgrade Pakistan’s Karachi–Peshawar railway line, the backbone of the country’s rail network. 

Wang also praised Pakistan’s counterterrorism campaign:

“China firmly believes that Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts will help secure victory, and Pakistan will effectively protect the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions.”

Both sides also vowed to “deepen counterterrorism and security cooperation and enhance regional coordination.”

Speaking at the joint press conference, Dar welcomed China’s vision for expanding cooperation in trade, investment and people-to-people ties under “CPEC 2.0,” which would focus on industrial zones, green energy and agricultural modernization.

The Pakistani leader confirmed that PM Sharif would travel to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of State Summit, scheduled to be held from Aug. 31-Sept. 1.

He will also meet the top Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. A Pakistan-China business-to-business investment conference would also be organized during Sharif’s visit, Dar added. 


Pakistan Railways loses $3.5 million annually to fare evasion — minister

Updated 33 min 50 sec ago
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Pakistan Railways loses $3.5 million annually to fare evasion — minister

  • Fare dodging underscores deeper financial woes for Pakistan’s struggling state-run railway network
  • Government pledges stricter enforcement, new trains, ADB-backed track upgrades to modernize system

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s state-run railway network, a crucial but struggling mode of transport for millions in the South Asian nation, is losing about $3.5 million each year to fare evasion, the country’s railways minister said on Thursday.

Pakistan Railways, one of the oldest institutions in the country, has faced chronic financial losses, outdated infrastructure and poor service quality for decades. Passenger volumes have declined due to competition from buses and airlines, while freight revenues have dropped sharply as businesses increasingly rely on roads. 

Experts say the sector requires sweeping reforms, from upgrading tracks and locomotives to strengthening oversight of corruption and mismanagement.

“According to Pakistan Railways’ Annual Report for 2023–24, the department was incurring losses of Rs1.1 billion ($3.5 million) annually due to non-paying passengers,” Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi told reporters in Islamabad.

“Thanks to stricter monitoring, this figure has slightly improved, but the loss still stands at around Rs1 billion per year.”

Abbasi said individuals caught traveling without tickets, as well as railway staff found complicit, would now face imprisonment. 

The minister said the railways’ vigilance department had been tasked with intensifying enforcement measures to reduce losses that have long plagued the system.

In addition to tackling fare dodging, Abbasi outlined modernization plans aimed at reviving the network. Over 200 new locomotives are currently under production at the Islamabad Carriage Factory, part of efforts to revamp the aging fleet, he said. 

Pakistan is also in talks with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for funding to upgrade the 480-kilometer Karachi–Rohri line, a key artery of the national network. Track improvements are also planned between Lahore and Rawalpindi to boost efficiency and safety, Abbasi added. 


Pakistan top court grants bail to Imran Khan in May 2023 riots cases

Updated 26 min 25 sec ago
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Pakistan top court grants bail to Imran Khan in May 2023 riots cases

  • Ex-PM Khan still requires bail in one remaining case involving the Al-Qadir trust to secure release
  • Riots erupted in May 2023 after Khan’s arrest, with supporters storming state buildings, military sites

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to former prime minister Imran Khan in eight cases linked to riots in 2023 when his supporters allegedly attacked the country’s military and its installations, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said. 

The protests broke out on May 9, 2023, when Khan was first briefly arrested by the national anti-corruption agency, NAB, in a land bribery case popularly called the Al-Qadir trust case. The government says supporters of Khan’s PTI had attacked important state buildings and damaged vehicles during the riots and ransacked military facilities.

Nearly 2,000 people were arrested and at least eight killed. The government called out the army to help restore order.

Khan is charged with inciting the violence, among other cases related to the riots. He denies all charges.

“Supreme Court has granted bail to Imran Khan for May 9th cases,” the PTI said in a text message to media. “Now bail is needed in just one more case (Al-Qadir case) for Mr.Khan to come out of jail.”

Khan was handed 14 years imprisonment and his wife Bushra Khan seven in January in the Al-Qadir trust case, which involves charges that the couple was given land by a real estate developer during his premiership from 2018 to 2022 in exchange for illegal favors. Khan and Bibi had pleaded not guilty.

The Al-Qadir Trust is a non-government welfare body the couple set up when Khan was in office. Prosecutors say the trust was a front for Khan to illegally receive land from a real estate developer. They said he was given 60 acres (24 hectares) near Islamabad and another large plot close to his hilltop mansion in the capital.

Khan and the PTI say the land was not for personal gain and was for the spiritual and educational institution the former prime minister had set up. Khan says all cases against him are politically motivated. 

Khan has been in jail since August 2023 when a court sentenced him to three years in prison for illegally selling state gifts while he was PM. The sentence barred the opposition leader from contesting in 2024 general elections.