Pakistan Coast Guards

{{Short description|Pakistani maritime law enforcement agency}} {{distinguish|Pakistan Maritime Security Agency}} {{Infobox law enforcement agency | agencyname = Pakistan Coast Guards | nativenamea = {{Nastaliq|پاکستان کوسٹ گارڈز}} | nativenamer = | patch = | patchcaption = | logo = Pakistan Coast Guards Logo.svg | logocaption = Coat of arms of Pakistan Coast Guards | badge = | badgecaption = | flag = Pakistan Coast Guards Flag.png | flagcaption = Flag | image_size = | commonname = | abbreviation = | motto = Defending and Protecting what is Rightfully Ours | formed = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1971}} | preceding1 =  | dissolved = | superseding = | employees = 15,000 active-duty personnel (outdated){{rp|11}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Pakistan & Gulf Economist |date=1989 |publisher=Economist Publications |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JB_tAAAAMAAJ&q=being+raised |access-date=7 February 2019 |language=en}}</ref>{{dubious|date=October 2024}} | volunteers = All (except commissioned officers) | budget = | national = | federal = Yes | country = Pakistan | governingbody = Ministry of Interior | constitution1 = Pakistan Coast Guard Act, 1973<ref name="act"/> | speciality1 = Coast | speciality2 = Paramilitary | oversightbody = Ministry of Interior | headquarters = Saddar, Karachi, Sindh | multinational =  | electeetype = | minister1name =  | minister1pfo = Ministry of Interior | chief2name = Maj Gen Jawad Riaz | chief2position = Director-General of Coast Guards | parentagency = Civil Armed Forces | provideragency = Pakistan Army | boat1type = Vessel | boats1 = *10 fast patrol vessels * 50 patrol boats * 25 patrol craft | aircraft1type = Helicopter | aircraft1 = * Bell 206 * Jet Ranger | activitytype = Conflicts | activity1name = Insurgency in Balochistan<br>Insurgency in Sindh<br>MQM Militancy<br>Red Sea crisis | anniversary1 =  | award1 =  | website = {{URL|https://www.pakistancoastguards.gov.pk/}} | footnotes = Dark blue, green and white<br />{{color box|#281E75}}{{color box|#228B22}}{{color box|white}} }}

The '''Pakistan Coast Guards''' (abbreviation: '''PCG''') ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|پاکستان کوسٹ گارڈز}}}}) 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.<ref name="Pakistan Coast Guards">{{cite web |title=Pakistan Coast Guards |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentee2f.html?pId=156 |publisher=Pakistsn Army |access-date=31 January 2019}}</ref> 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 (PMSA), which is a Marine law enforcement agency managed and controlled by the 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.<ref name="History of Coast Guards">{{cite web |title=History - Pakistan Coast Guards |url=http://pakistancoastguards.gov.pk/history/ |website=pakistancoastguards.gov.pk |publisher=Pakistan Coast Guards History |access-date=31 January 2019}}</ref> In 1971, the headquarters of the Coast Guard was established in Karachi with Pakistan Army's Brigadier Sajjad Husain becoming its first director-general.<ref name="History of Coast Guards"/>

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.<ref name="act">{{cite act|type=Act|title=Pakistan Coast Guard Act, 1973|url=https://www.pakistancode.gov.pk/english/UY2FqaJw1-apaUY2Fqa-bpuUY2hp-sg-jjjjjjjjjjjjj|index=XVIII|year=1973}}</ref><ref name="History of Coast Guards"/> 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 (MSA).<ref>See: Pakistan Maritime Security Agency</ref>

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.<ref name="Pakistan Coast Guards" />

The exact number of personnel and equipment held with Coast Guards remains classified.<ref name="Pakistan Coast Guards" /> Estimates for its individual battalions ranges from 500 to 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.<ref name="Pakistan Coast Guards" />

==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 (also from the Army) 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 (from regular Lieutenant onwards till Major-General) 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.<ref name="Pakistan Coast Guards" />

PCG Battalions are led by commandants with the rank of lieutenant colonel, appointment coming from the Army.<ref name="Pakistan Coast Guards" /> These battalions are divided into two sectors.

Sector East (headquartered in Korangi, Sindh): * 5th Battalion, Gharo<ref name="Orbat" /> * 2nd Battalion, Korangi<ref name="Orbat">{{cite web |title=Pakistan Coast Guards |url=http://www.orbat.info/cimh/cpmh/Pakistan_Coast_Guards.pdf |publisher=Orbat |access-date=31 January 2019}}</ref> * PCG Marine Wing, Karachi<ref name="Orbat" /> Sector West (headquartered in Gwader, Balochistan): * 3rd Battalion, Gwadar<ref name="Orbat" /> * 4th Battalion, Pasni<ref name="Orbat" /> * 1st Battalion, Windar<ref>{{cite web |title=» Battalion 1 - Pakistan Coast Guard |url=http://pakistancoastguards.gov.pk/past/ |access-date=31 January 2019}}</ref> * 6th Battalion, Ormara<ref name="Orbat" />

The PCG's Field Intelligence Unit is based in both sectors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pcp.gov.pk/SiteImage/Downloads/Issue-26%20Dated%2024-06-2020.pdf |title=The Gazette of Pakistan. Part III. |publisher=Government of Pakistan |date=24 June 2020 |access-date=15 December 2022}}</ref>

The battalions are each subdivided into 3-4 companies (commanded by majors, captains, and lieutenants seconded from the Army).<ref name="Orbat" />

'''Interior Ministry support''': * Helicopters (Bell 206, Jet Ranger) from 50 Aviation Squadron.<ref>{{cite web |title=20 Months Achievements |url=https://www.nadra.gov.pk/20_Months_achievements_Brochure.pdf |access-date=27 December 2022 |publisher=National Database and Registration Authority |pages=12–14}}</ref>

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 (MSA) of Pakistan Navy.<ref name="Pakistan Coast Guards" />

===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.<ref name="Pakistan Coast Guards" /> 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.<ref name="Pakistan Coast Guards" /> 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.<ref name="Pakistan Coast Guards" />

===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 (RV&FC) of the Army.<ref name="Pakistan Coast Guards" /> The PCG battalions also have their own fleets of boats and of technicals.

===Ranks=== {| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;" {{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/Blank}} {{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/Pakistan (Coast Guards)}} |}

{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;" |- style="background:#ccc;" ! Rank group|| colspan=10| Junior commissioned officers || colspan=12| Non commissioned officer || colspan=14| Enlisted {{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/Pakistan (Coast Guards)}} |}

==Roles of PCG==

===Anti-smuggling=== To keep a check on smugglers and stop their activities of smuggling (inbound as well as outbound) through the sea routes. PCG Battalions have special check posts all along the coastal belt and also pickets the threatened areas randomly.<ref name="Pakistan Coast Guards" /> 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.<ref name="Pakistan Coast Guards" />

===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.<ref name="Pakistan Coast Guards" />

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

==Fleet== * Fast Patrol Boats (FPB)s - including Rigid inflatable boats * Interceptor Boats (IB)s * Speed Boats (SB)s

==References== {{reflist|2}}

== External links == * {{Official website|http://pakistancoastguards.gov.pk/}} * [http://mod.gov.pk Ministry of Defence Website]

Category:Riverine warfare Category:Federal law enforcement agencies of Pakistan Category:1971 establishments in Pakistan Category:Government agencies established in 1971 Category:Military in Sindh Category:Military in Balochistan, Pakistan Category:Civil Armed Forces