The Civil Armed Forces (CAF) are a group of nine 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, helping law enforcement agencies, border control, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism, 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 2015âÂÂ16 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 âÂÂmilitary aid to civil powerâÂÂ, as in Karachi since 2015 and in Punjab since February 2017.
List of forces
Civil Armed Forces (CAF)
- 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 (counter-insurgency, 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 (counter-insurgency, counter-gang, public order, etc.) under the operational control of Pakistan Army corps commanders.
- 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.
- 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, who is borrowed 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 regiments 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 ChinaâÂÂPakistan Economic Corridor.
Other Paramilitary Organisations
- Pakistan Maritime Security Agency
- Created in 1987
- Headquartered in Karachi
- Consisted of 2000 active duty personnel
- Enforces maritime laws over the domestic and international waters of Pakistan including exclusive economic zone.
- Airports Security Force
- Formed in 1976
- Headquartered in Karachi
- The ASF is an 8,945-personnel organisation.
- The ASF is a federal airport security force agency under the administrative control of the Secretary to the Government of Pakistan for Aviation which is responsible for protecting the airports, facilities and the planes (on-ground or in-air) in Pakistan.
- Anti Narcotics Force
- Formed in 1995
- Headquartered in Rawalpindi
- Tasked with combating the narcotics smuggling and use within Pakistan
- Defence Security Force
- Formed in 1947
- Headquartered in Rawalpindi
- Tasked with the protection and security of military installations, air bases, depots, arsenals, and headquarters across the country. Also serves as the paramilitary element of the Pakistan Air Force Police (AFP).
50 Aviation Squadron
- 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
See also
References
External links