In a dramatic escalation of internal dissent, over 90 personnel from Pakistan’s Frontier Corps (FC), mostly of Pashtun ethnicity, have been dismissed for refusing to participate in military operations targeting fellow Pashtuns in the restive Bajaur region. The order for dismissal was reportedly issued by a senior Wing Commander, signalling growing unrest within Pakistan’s paramilitary ranks.
The Frontier Corps, which operates under the command of the Pakistan Army, comprises four major forces deployed across Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Tasked with border security and internal law enforcement, the FC has come under increasing scrutiny for its controversial role in counter-insurgency operations in tribal regions. The latest incident underscores mounting frustration among Pashtun soldiers, many of whom are walking away from service, protesting operations they see as targeting their own people.
These tensions coincide with renewed activism by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a grassroots rights movement that continues to draw support despite being banned by the Pakistani government in October 2024. Several PTM leaders have since gained political clout, winning parliamentary seats and amplifying calls for justice and accountability for state actions in Pashtun-dominated areas.
The FC’s conduct, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has long been mired in controversy. Accusations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and collective punishment have damaged its public standing. With a budget exceeding Rs. 105 billion and a force of around 70,000 personnel, the FC remains a powerful yet deeply polarizing institution within Pakistan’s internal security framework.
The mass dismissal of FC personnel could have far-reaching implications for Pakistan’s internal cohesion and counter-insurgency approach. As ethnic identity increasingly clashes with state directives, the incident highlights the fragile relationship between national security policies and minority communities, particularly in volatile border regions.
