Paramilitary forces of Pakistan


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:
NameStatusOperates underHeadquartersPrimary Roles
Punjab RangersActiveMinistry of InteriorLahoreBorder security, counter-insurgency, law & order enforcement anti-crime and riot control in Punjab.
Sindh RangersActiveMinistry of InteriorKarachiBorder security, counter-insurgency, law & order enforcement anti-crime and riot control in Sindh.
Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ActiveMinistry of Interior PeshawarBorder security, counter-insurgency, law & order enforcement anti-crime and riot control in Northern KPK.
Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ActiveMinistry of Interior Dera Ismail KhanBorder security, counter-insurgency, law & order enforcement anti-crime and riot control in Southern KPK.
Frontier Corps Balochistan ActiveMinistry of Interior QuettaBorder security, counter-insurgency, law & order enforcement anti-crime and riot control in Northern Balochistan.
Frontier Corps Balochistan ActiveMinistry of Interior TurbatBorder security, counter-insurgency, law & order enforcement anti-crime and riot control in Southern Balochistan.
Federal ConstabularyActiveMinistry 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 GuardsActiveMinistry of Interior KarachiCoastal security, anti-smuggling, anti-human-trafficking patrolling Arabian Sea coastline.
Gilgit-Baltistan ScoutsActiveMinistry of InteriorGilgitInternal security, border patrolling and law enforcement in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Airports Security ForceActiveMinistry of AviationKarachiAviation security and protection of airports and aircraft.
Pakistan Maritime Security AgencyActiveMinistry of DefenceKarachiMaritime law enforcement and protection of Pakistan's sea borders.
Anti Narcotics ForceActiveMinistry of Narcotics ControlRawalpindiCombating drug trafficking and enforcing anti-narcotics laws.
National Guard ActiveMinistry of DefenceVariousReserve paramilitary force for supporting regular army and civil defence.
Mujahid ForceActiveMinistry of DefenceVariousArmy reserve component; support during emergencies.
Janbaz ForceActiveMinistry of DefenceVariousVolunteer reserve force; local defense and assistance in national emergencies.
Pakistan LeviesSplit and localizedMinistry of InteriorVariousTribal policing in rural and tribal areas.
Balochistan LeviesActiveMinistry of InteriorQuettaLaw enforcement in rural Balochistan.
Dir LeviesActiveMinistry of InteriorDirLocal policing force in Dir District, KP.
Gilgit-Baltistan Levies ForceActiveMinistry of InteriorGilgitLocal policing force in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa LeviesActiveMinistry of InteriorVariousRegional law enforcement in KP.
Malakand LeviesActiveMinistry of InteriorMalakandLocal policing in Malakand Division, KP.

Former paramilitary forces

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