Pakistan Coast Guards


The Pakistan Coast Guards is a maritime law enforcement agency of the Civil Armed Forces of Pakistan. It is managed and controlled by the Pakistani Ministry of Interior and its weapons and commissioned officers are provided by the Pakistan Army, with a mission of riverine operations and coastal operations including conducting anti-narcotics missions, anti-human trafficking, illegal immigration through the coastal areas, and anti-smuggling initiatives. It is also involved in counterinsurgency to a smaller degree due to its federal paramilitary status and law enforcement responsibilities.
The Coast Guards should not be confused with the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, which is a maritime coast guard agency run by Pakistan Navy. The PMSA conducts search and rescue operations at sea and helps to defend the coastal areas while conducting military operations for maritime law enforcement in national and international waters.

History

From 1947–60s, the Pakistan Customs had the law enforcement responsibility for the defense of land and sea based frontiers of Pakistan with the objective to prevent smuggling of contraband items into and from Pakistan. In 1971, the headquarters of the Coast Guard was established in Karachi with Pakistan Army's Brigadier Sajjad Husain becoming its first director-general.
Its constitutional status was granted through the Parliamentary procedures in 1972 and became a federal law enforcement agency in 1973 while remaining a branch with the Army. The Pakistan Coast Guards are responsible for maintaining the constitutional law at the Pakistan's beaches and patrolling the riverine platforms while the combat sea-based search and rescue missions, enforcement of admiralty law in the international waters, and preventing the armed piracy falls under the responsibility of the Maritime Security Agency.
Since then, it has upgraded its facilities and fleet to bolster its capabilities of littoral patrolling of the coast line. As per the old structure of the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard was headed by an appointed Army Major General or Senior Brigadier who was formally known as Director General with a Deputy Director General who was either a junior Brigadier or Full Colonel from the Army. The officers of the Force were seconded from the Army for a period of one to three years, while the troops were permanent. Each battalion was led by a Commanding officer who was a Lieutenant Colonel from the Army and his deputy was an OIC who was a Major from the Army.
The exact number of personnel and equipment held with Coast Guards remains classified. Estimates for its individual battalions ranges from 500–1,200 personnel per battalion. The Pakistan Coast Guards works under administrative control of Ministry of Interior in peace time whereas it will come under operational control of Pakistan Army in wartime situations.

Organization

Higher command

The Coast Guard is headed by an appointed Major General from the Army who is formally known as Director General with two sector commanders who are Brigadier from the Army. Each sector commander has a few full Colonels who help them manage their respective sectors. The officers of the Force are seconded from the Army for a period of one to three years, while the troops are permanent. Each battalion is led by a Commanding officer who is a Lieutenant Colonel from the Army and his deputy is an OIC who is a Major from the Army.
All Commissioned Officers of the Pakistan Coast Guard come from the Pakistan Army. Despite this they fall under Ministry of Interior rather than the Ministry of Defence, except during wartime.

Headquarters and Battalions

The Headquarters with its complements and PCG Hospital.
PCG Battalions are led by commandants with the rank of lieutenant colonel, appointment coming from the Army. These battalions are divided into two sectors.
Sector East :
  • 5th Battalion, Gharo
  • 2nd Battalion, Korangi
  • PCG Marine Wing, Karachi
Sector West :
The PCG's Field Intelligence Unit is based in both sectors.
The battalions are each subdivided into 3-4 companies.
Interior Ministry support:
  • Helicopters from 50 Aviation Squadron.
In addition to land based troops, the Coast Guards also maintains a small fleet of patrol boats to perform its sea-borne duties, although the operations in deep water and dangerous undertaking are conducted by its counterpart Maritime Security Agency of Pakistan Navy.

Marine Wing

Pakistan Coast Guards as a whole is spread all over to safeguard coastal belt of 1050 km as well as up to 12 NM Territorial Waters of Pakistan. Marine Wing of PCG is entrusted with the responsibility of 12 NM of territorial waters. The Marine Wing is based at Karachi and commanded by a commander of operation branch, seconded from Pakistan Navy. MW is equipped with Fast Patrol Crafts, lethal Interceptor Boats and other Utility Boats with latest equipment on board. MW has full facility to train its men in the relevant fields and able to conduct general and technical cadres. Marine Wing PCG has also established Search and Rescue Centre to safe the precious life in distress and to prevent property loss or damage.

Mounted Infantry Troop

AT Coy is based in Korangi with a Training Wing and is responsible for maintaining horses, camels and cattle for use in the field, as well as a dog section. It is commanded by a seconded captain from the Remount, Veterinary and Farm Corps of the Army. The PCG battalions also have their own fleets of boats and of technicals.

Ranks

Roles of PCG

Anti-smuggling

To keep a check on smugglers and stop their activities of smuggling through the sea routes. PCG Battalions have special check posts all along the coastal belt and also pickets the threatened areas randomly. In addition, The Intelligence Wing has a network of agents and informers and establish pickets in consultation with Commandants of the PCG Battalions when a potential smuggling activity is reported to take place. PCG has been equipped with modern communication and surveillance equipment; including radars, to perform this task.

Human Trafficking

The Pakistan Coast Guard has in recent years, undertaken greater operations against drug & weapon and even human trafficking/smuggler networks operating in the coastal waters.

Counter Narcotics

PCG is responsible for narcotics control along Pakistan's coastline.

Fleet