Paramilitary forces of Pakistan

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Paramilitary forces of Pakistan
Flag of Pakistan.svg
Flag of Pakistan
ActiveVaries by force
Country Pakistan
Allegiance Government of Pakistan
Branch Ministry of Interior (primarily), Pakistan Armed Forces (support role)
TypeParamilitary forces
RoleInternal security, border security, law enforcement, counter-insurgency
Part of Ministry of Interior (primarily), Pakistan Armed Forces (support role)
Garrison/HQVarious locations (national deployment)
MottoVaries by force

The paramilitary forces of Pakistan operate alongside the regular military and police forces to maintain internal security, border security, and law enforcement. These forces are generally administered by the Ministry of Interior, although several units operate in coordination with the Pakistan Armed Forces. The term paramilitary forces of Pakistan commonly refers to the following organizations:

Paramilitary forces of Pakistan
NameStatusOperates underHeadquartersPrimary Roles
Punjab Rangers ActiveMinistry of InteriorLahoreBorder security (India), counter-insurgency, law & order enforcement anti-crime and riot control in Punjab.
Sindh Rangers ActiveMinistry of InteriorKarachiBorder security (India), counter-insurgency, law & order enforcement anti-crime and riot control in Sindh.
Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (North) ActiveMinistry of Interior (supports Pakistan Army)PeshawarBorder security (Afghanistan), counter-insurgency, law & order enforcement anti-crime and riot control in Northern KPK.
Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (South) ActiveMinistry of Interior (supports Pakistan Army)Dera Ismail KhanBorder security (Afghanistan), counter-insurgency, law & order enforcement anti-crime and riot control in Southern KPK.
Frontier Corps Balochistan (North) ActiveMinistry of Interior (supports Pakistan Army)QuettaBorder security (Afghanistan), counter-insurgency, law & order enforcement anti-crime and riot control in Northern Balochistan.
Frontier Corps Balochistan (South) ActiveMinistry of Interior (supports Pakistan Army)TurbatBorder security (Iran), counter-insurgency, law & order enforcement anti-crime and riot control in Southern Balochistan.
Federal Constabulary ActiveMinistry of InteriorPeshawarMaintaining law and order, and dealing with situations beyond the capabilities of the police, guarding against tribal incursions, criminal gangs, and contraband smuggling.
Pakistan Coast Guards ActiveMinistry of Interior (supports PAF and CAF)KarachiCoastal security, anti-smuggling, anti-human-trafficking patrolling Arabian Sea coastline.
Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts ActiveMinistry of InteriorGilgitInternal security, border patrolling and law enforcement in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Airports Security Force ActiveMinistry of AviationKarachiAviation security and protection of airports and aircraft.
Pakistan Maritime Security Agency ActiveMinistry of DefenceKarachiMaritime law enforcement and protection of Pakistan's sea borders.
Anti Narcotics Force ActiveMinistry of Narcotics ControlRawalpindiCombating drug trafficking and enforcing anti-narcotics laws.
National Guard (Pakistan) ActiveMinistry of DefenceVariousReserve paramilitary force for supporting regular army and civil defence.
Mujahid Force ActiveMinistry of DefenceVariousArmy reserve component; support during emergencies.
Janbaz Force ActiveMinistry of DefenceVariousVolunteer reserve force; local defense and assistance in national emergencies.
Pakistan Levies Split and localizedMinistry of InteriorVariousTribal policing in rural and tribal areas (partially merged into KP Police post-2018).
Balochistan Levies ActiveMinistry of InteriorQuettaLaw enforcement in rural Balochistan.
Dir Levies ActiveMinistry of InteriorDirLocal policing force in Dir District, KP.
Gilgit-Baltistan Levies Force ActiveMinistry of InteriorGilgitLocal policing force in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Levies ActiveMinistry of InteriorVariousRegional law enforcement in KP.
Malakand Levies ActiveMinistry of InteriorMalakandLocal policing in Malakand Division, KP.

Former paramilitary forces

Former and Historical Paramilitary Forces of Pakistan
NameStatusNotes
National Cadet Corps (Pakistan) DisbandedPreviously trained students for military service (disbanded).
Women's GuardDisbandedWomen's auxiliary service for national emergencies.
Al-Badr (East Pakistan) DisbandedParamilitary force active during the Bangladesh Liberation War (1971).
Al-Shams (East Pakistan) DisbandedParamilitary group allied with Pakistan Army during 1971 conflict.
Azad Kashmir Regular Force TransitionedBecame the Azad Kashmir Regiment, part of Pakistan Army.
East Pakistan Rifles TransitionedBecame Border Guards Bangladesh after 1971.
Federal Security Force (Pakistan) DisbandedSecret police force operating from 1972 to 1977 under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
Gilgit Scouts TransitionedBecame Northern Light Infantry Regiment of Pakistan Army; see also Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts.
Khasadar DisbandedTribal police force disbanded in 2019 after FATA merger into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Mehran Force AbsorbedAbsorbed into Sindh Rangers.
Razakar (East Pakistan) DisbandedParamilitary force allied with Pakistan during Bangladesh Liberation War.

See also