FAISALABAD: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary on Monday stressed that the revamped Federal Constabulary (FC) was not a police force, reports Dawn.com.

Earlier on Sunday, President Asif Ali Zardari had promulgated an ordinance empowering the federal government to transform the FC, a border security force, into the Federal Constabulary to maintain law and order, supplement the law enforcement agencies, and address the diverse security needs in a coordinated manner.

According to the ordinance, the Frontier Constabulary was originally established to maintain law and order in frontier and border areas, ensuring the security of these critical regions, and preserving public peace in remote territories.

However, the changing dynamics of national security, the increasing frequency of emergencies, natural disasters, civil unrest, and other emerging threats necessitated a more adaptable and versatile forceto respond to such challenges.

Addressing a press conference today in Faisalabad with FC Commandant Riaz Nazir Gara, Mr Chaudhry said: `The Federal Constabulary will be the Federal Constabulary. No one should confuse it with the federal police.

He said the Frontier Constabulary was being restructured and renamed only to bolster internal and national security.

He further said that the revamping was an institutional necessity to improve coordination, compensation and capability of this force across all provinces and territories.

`It is purely a defencerelatedissuetostrengthen national defence by providing support to the law enforcement agencies, he added.

He said that the FC had played a pivotal role in maintaining peace and security within the country and along its borders for nearly a century, yet the force was not accorded the recognition and benefits comparable to other security forces in Pakistan.

The minister lamented that despite limited salaries and fewer privileges,FC personnel had consistently served the nation with unwavering dedication.

`Now, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi have decided to transform FC into a federal force to address the disparity with upgraded structure and scope under the new name of Federal Constabulary, he added.

He clarified that while the name was being changed, the identity and core function of the FC as a constabulary remained intact. `The restructuring would help ensure that its personnel receive salaries, training and benefits equal to those of other national security forces, he added.

He said that the FC had a long role in combatting drug trafficking, smuggling and supporting civil law enforcement agencies during sensitive eventssuchasMuharram, elections and anti-polio campaigns.

`Now it will continue to carry out these responsibilities under its new federal framework,` he added.

Mr Chaudhry said that with the reorganisation, the jurisdiction of theFederal Constabulary would be expanded to include all four provinces as well as GilgitBaltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

He said that recruitment would be opened to all citizens from across the country and the federal government would bear all operational and financial responsibilities, relieving the provinces of any budget ary burden.

Speaking on the occasion, FC Commandant Riaz Nazir Gara provided historical context and said that the FC was established in 1913. It was operated under an act that is now over 100 years old, Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

Recognising the urgent need for reform, he said that the FC would be realigned into a more robust and federally managed institution with clearly defined command tiers including platoons, companies and wings.

He further stated that the FC currently has 41 wings, with 36 of them deployed under the security division. The revamped structure would streamline these units for improving efficiency, he added.

Commandant Gara disclosed that 423 FC personnel have laid down their lives in the line of duty an enduring testament to the force`s commitment and sacrifice He noted that the reorganisation will honour these sacrifices by establishing a more effective command structure, enhancing facilities, and creating clearer career pathways for FC members.

Both the state minister and the FC Commandant urged the public, media, and stakeholders to carefully study the new ordinance related to the Federal Constabulary to avoid any misconceptions.