ISLAMABAD: The combined opposition on Thursday, despite a thin presence in the National Assembly, managed to block the passage of a government-sponsored bill, seeking the reorganisation of Frontier Constabulary and its renaming as the Federal Constabulary.
The House had approved eight out of 18 clauses of the Frontier Constabulary (Re-organisation) Bill, 2025 when proceedings were interrupted due to a lack of quorum, ultimately leading to the prorogation of the session.
Before the proceedings were stopped, the government accepted three amendments moved by Syed Naveed Qamar of Pakistan Peoples Party. However, the bill could not be passed.
The bill, taken up through a supplementary agenda, was strongly opposed by members from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUIF) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who repeatedly pointed out the lack of quorum during the debate. Their objections were initially ignored by the chair.
As protests intensified, Ghulam Mustafa Shah, who was presiding over the session, gave the floor to PTI-backed MNA Shahid Khattak, who formally pointed out the quorum. Upon counting, the House was found not to be in order, after which the chair read out presidential orders proroguing the session. Under the proposed legislation, the force would continue to be maintained by the federal government under the name Federal Constabulary. Its functions would include internal security, riot control, counter-terrorism operations and protection or escort duties. The restructured force would consist of two divisions — the Security Division and Federal Reserve Division.
The reorganisation of the Frontier Constabulary had earlier been introduced through a presidential ordinance, promulgated on July 13, 2025, which was later extended for 120 days, but has now lapsed.
Official sources said the bill is expected to be taken up again in upcoming parliamentary sessions, likely to be convened after Eidul Fitr, and will include amendments to cover the legal gap created by the lapse of ordinance.
During the sitting, the House passed the Iqbal Academy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, while the Pakistan Airports Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced. The Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 was also laid before the House.
