Paramilitary forces of Pakistan
 | This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. (September 2012) |
The paramilitary forces of Pakistan consist of various organizations constitutionally charged with safeguarding Pakistan from external and internal threats as well as maintaining internal law and order. Their current strength is approximately over 420,000 personnel.[1]
The paramilitary forces can be divided into three categories, performing three distinct roles: Firstly the armed security forces (the Rangers and Frontier Corps), secondly a reserve force (the National Guard), and thirdly the Maritime Security Agency.
The Northern Light Infantry which was a paramilitary force until 1999, is now part of the Pakistan Army.
Strength
| Service | Total active duty personnel |
|---|---|
| Pakistan National Guard | 185,000[2] |
| Pakistan Rangers | 100,000[2] |
| Frontier Corps | 80,000[2] |
| Gilgit Baltistan Scouts | 2,481[2] |
| Frontier Constabulary | 30,000 |
| Airport Security Force | 8,930 |
| Pakistan Coast Guard | Classified[2] |
| Maritime Security Agency | 2,500[2] |
| Anti Terrorist Elite Force | Classified[2] |
| Total | 420,000[3] |
Tasks
- Pakistan National Guard: The National Guard comprises the Janbaz Force and locally recruited militia and are charged with air defense. Also included the dissolved National Cadet Corps and Women's Guard.
- Pakistan Rangers: The Rangers are two distinct organizations. The Punjab Rangers headquartered in Lahore, Punjab and the Sindh Rangers in Karachi, Sindh. This force has a border security role on the international borders of Punjab and Sindh and perform internal security duties on behalf of the Pakistan Army.[citation needed] This force is organized on a provincial level but are subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior and are commanded by seconded army generals.
- Mehran Force: The Mehran Force, based in the Sindh province, performed the same function as the Punjab-based Rangers. The Mehran Force became the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) in 1995.[4] It was a force of 25,000 men divided into "wings" of approximately 800 men each.
- Frontier Corps: The Frontier Corps, based in Peshawar, North West Frontier Province and Quetta, Balochistan is responsible for protecting the western border regions. The force is responsible to both the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions and to Army Headquarters. The Force comprises fourteen units based in the North-West Frontier and sixteen units based in Balochistan. Some of the local units have a long history such as the Chitral Scouts, the Khyber Rifles, Swat Levies, the Kurram Militia, the Tochi Scouts, the South Waziristan Scouts, the Zhob Militia, and the Gilgit Scouts. These histories date back to Colonial times and many of the regiments have distinguished combat records, e.g. the Khyber Rifles. These regiments can be "regularized" i.e. attached to regular Army as necessary. Khyber Rifles was in fact regularized during the 1965 war and fought with distinction in Kashmir.
- Maritime Security Agency: The 2,500-strong Maritime Security Agency, headquartered in Karachi, is a coast guard and is responsible for patrolling Pakistan's territorial waters. The MSA is equipped with a former Pakistan Navy destroyer, two coastal patrol craft and four oceanic patrol craft.
- Airport Security Force: Safeguarding and protecting airports in Pakistan.[5][6]
Gallery
-
-
An Afghan border policeman (right) and a Pakistani Frontier Corps (left) stand side-by-side at the Friendship Gate border crossing, Spin Boldak, Afghanistan. -
A Pakistan Maritime Security Agency destroyer at the Karachi Dockyard. -
Airports Security Force (in blue) and Frontier Constabulary (in black). -
A Pakistan Rangers guard at Wagah Border.
_at_the_Karachi_dockyard,_circa_in_1999.jpg)
See also
References
- ^ http://dawn.com/2013/03/25/pakistans-female-rangers-life-on-the-base/
- ^ a b c d e f g Pakistan Intelligence, security Activities and Operations Handbook, Int'l Business Publications, 2011 Edition, pp. 131, ISBN 0-7397-1194-6
- ^ The Military Balance 2010, p. 367, International Institute for Strategic Studies (London, 2010).
- ^ "Pakistan Rangers (Sindh)".
- ^ "Pakistan airports on high alert after bomb threat".
- ^ "Videos - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune.
External links
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