The Civil Armed Forces (CAF) are a group of ten paramilitary and gendarmerie organizations which fall under the Ministry of Interior, separate and distinct from the regular Pakistan Armed Forces, which fall under the Ministry of Defence. They are responsible for maintaining internal security, engaging in law enforcement, border control, counterinsurgency and counterterrorism, riot control, and anti-smuggling. They frequently operate alongside the Pakistani military in response to natural disasters. During times of war, they can have their command transferred to the Ministry of Defence, and effectively combined to form a reserve force for the Pakistani military.

History Some CAF units were originally raised in the colonial era on the frontiers of the empire and played a key role in the consolidation of control by building a link between the state and communities in strategically sensitive frontier areas through recruitment to government service. In many areas paramilitary units continue to play exactly the same historical role decades after independence.

The CAF are currently undergoing significant expansion, with 57 additional wings approved for raising in 2015–16 to address internal and border security challenges and to provide protection for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This expansion is coordinated by a new two-star command established in September 2016, the Special Security Division.

The CAF are paid for from the budget of the Ministry of Interior which also provides administrative support. However, they are (with the exception of the Frontier Constabulary) commanded by officers on secondment from the Pakistan Army. They function under the operational control of army corps headquarters not only in wartime but also whenever Article 245 of the Constitution of Pakistan is invoked to provide "military aid to civil power", as in Karachi since 2015 and in Punjab since February 2017.

List of forces

Punjab Rangers Headquartered in Lahore. Divided into five commands, each composed of several battalion-sized "wings" of approximately 800 men each. This force has a border security role on the Punjab provincial external border with India. It also performs internal security duties (counterinsurgency, counter-gang, public order, etc.) under the operational control of Pakistan Army corps commanders.

Sindh Rangers Headquartered in Karachi. Divided into seven commands, each composed of several battalion-sized "wings" of approximately 800 men each. This force has a border security role on the Sindh provincial external border with India. It also performs internal security duties (counterinsurgency, counter-gang, public order, etc.) under the operational control of Pakistan Army corps commanders.

Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (North) Formed in 2017 by the splitting of Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Headquartered in Peshawar. Composed of eleven infantry and one armoured regiment, each formed from several battalion-sized "wings". Under the command of the Army's XI Corps, the force has been in the forefront of counter-insurgency operations against the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and foreign militants since 2003.

Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (South) Formed in 2017 by the splitting of Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Headquartered in Dera Ismail Khan. Composed of ten infantry regiments, each formed from several battalion-sized "wings". Under the command of the XI Corps, the force has been in the forefront of counter-insurgency operations against the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and foreign militants since 2003.

Frontier Corps Balochistan (North) Formed in 2017 by the splitting of Frontier Corps Balochistan. Headquartered in Quetta. Composed of ten infantry regiments, each formed from several battalion-sized "wings". Under the command of the XII Corps, the force has been in the forefront of counter-insurgency operations against the Pakistani Taliban, Baloch separatists, and the Islamic State's Khorasan branch.

Frontier Corps Balochistan (South) Formed in 2017 by the splitting of Frontier Corps Balochistan. Headquartered in Turbat. Composed of ten infantry regiments, each formed from several battalion-sized "wings". Under the command of the XII Corps, the force has been in the forefront of counter-insurgency operations against Baloch separatists, Baloch Islamist-Jihadists, and the Islamic State's Pakistan branch. Frontier Corps Balochistan (West) Formed in 2026 by splitting the Frontier Corps Balochistan(South). Headquartered in Khuzdar. Under the command of the XII Corps, the force will be in the forefront of counter-insurgency operations against Baloch separatists and guard Iran-Pakistan border.

Federal Constabulary (formerly Frontier Constabulary Formed in 1915 as the Frontier Constabulary before being renamed in 2024. Headquartered in Islamabad (moved from Peshawar Cantonment). This is a gendarmerie that operates all over Pakistan. It used to operate in the border districts of Balochistan and border/tribal districts Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which were formerly known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and was also used in Karachi to fight crime. Unlike the Frontier Corps, it's commanded by officers from the Police Service of Pakistan.

Pakistan Coast Guards Formed in 1973. Headquartered in Karachi. Split into two sectors, each commended by a Brigadier and a few Colonels Sector West in Balochistan Sector East in Sindh The force should not be confused with the Maritime Security Agency, which is a coast guard in the Pakistan Navy which operates deeper into the ocean. Tasked with protecting the coastal areas of Balochistan and Sindh Province. Largely a shore-based force with a particular focus on combating smuggling Commanded by a two-star rank Major-General, seconded from the Pakistan Army. Gilgit Baltistan Scouts Formed in 2003 as a replacement CAF after the previously paramilitary Northern Light Infantry was converted into a regular infantry regiment of the Pakistan Army in recognition of their performance during the Kargil War. Headquartered in Gilgit. Composed of six battalion-sized "wings". Under the command of the Army's Force Command Northern Areas, the force has been involved in providing security for infrastructure projects in the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor.

50 Aviation Squadron of the Ministry of Interior is the nucleus of an air wing designed to provide additional air support to CAFs, including in disaster relief and medical evacuations.

Ranks

Rank group Junior commissioned officers Non commissioned officer Enlisted Rank group Junior commissioned officers Non commissioned officer Enlisted

See also Law enforcement in Pakistan Pakistan Armed Forces National Guard (Pakistan) Pakistan Levies

References

External links CIA World Factbook 2005