View source for Federal Security Force (Pakistan)

{{Short description|Former Pakistani secret police agency (1972–77)}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=August 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name     = Federal Security Force (FSF)
| native_name     = فیڈرل سیکیورٹی فورس (ایف ایس ایف)
| type            = 
| seal            = State emblem of Pakistan.svg
| seal_caption    = State Emblem of Pakistan
| picture         = Z A Bhutto (President of Pakistan).jpg
| picture_width   = 150 px
| image_caption   = Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
| formed          = 1972
| dissolved       = 1977
| superseding1    = [[Al-Zulfikar]]
| jurisdiction    = [[Islamic Republic of Pakistan]]
| employees       = 15000
| chief1_name     = [[Haq Nawaz Tiwana]]
| chief1_position = (1st)
| chief2_name     = [[Masood Mahmood]]
| chief2_position = (2nd)
| parent_department = [[Government of Pakistan]] (Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto - [[Pakistan Peoples Party|PPP]])
| keydocument1    = https://na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1487051693_848.pdf
| status          = Dissolved
}}
{{Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto sidebar}}
The '''Federal Security Force''' (FSF) was a [[paramilitary]] and [[secret police]] force in [[Pakistan]] from 1972 to 1977. The FSF was established by then-[[President of Pakistan|President]] [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]] as a task force of the [[Government of Pakistan]] as a substitute for the use of the [[Pakistan Armed Forces]] in civilian affairs. It was mainly to serve as protection for [[Civil authority|civil leadership]] such as the [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] and [[Leader of the Opposition (Pakistan)|Leader of the Opposition]], and assisting the government and police in maintaining law and order.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lib.virginia.edu/area-studies/SouthAsia/SAserials/Dawn/1997/28Jun97.html#them|title=The missing chapter|last=Cowasjee|first=Ardeshir|date=28 June 1997|publisher=DAWN newspaper|access-date=25 March 2008}}</ref> The FSF was disbanded by military dictator [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq]] after Bhutto was overthrown in the [[1977 Pakistani military coup]].

==History==
The Federal Security Force was established in 1972 by [[Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto]], the [[President of Pakistan]] at the time, as a [[paramilitary]] force under the direct control of the [[Government of Pakistan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2024/01/how-the-soviet-invasion-of-afghanistan-strengthened-pakistans-military-deep-state/|title=How the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan Strengthened Pakistan's Military Deep State|website=thediplomat.com}}</ref> Its formation was a response to a [[police strike]] in March 1972, which raised concerns about the reliability of existing [[law enforcement]] institutions and the potential for increased [[civil unrest]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/2012/07/29/a-leaf-from-history-fsf-the-dreaded-organisation/|title=A leaf from history: FSF — the dreaded organisation|first=From|last=InpaperMagazine|date=July 29, 2012|website=DAWN.COM}}</ref> The FSF also served as a civilian armed force to balance with the [[Pakistan Armed Forces]], which was deeply involved in the politics of Pakistan and had ruled the country from 1958 to 1971.{{fact|date=August 2024}}

At its peak, the FSF comprised over 15,000 personnel. Its primary responsibilities included assisting the police in maintaining order, securing political events, surveilling [[dissident|political opponent]]s and, in some instances, using violence to suppress opposition.<ref name="auto"/> The FSF also engaged in intelligence collection aimed at countering opposition parties and identifying potential threats.<ref name="auto"/>

[[Haq Nawaz Tiwana]] was the FSF's first [[director general]], later replaced by [[Masood Mahmood]], a former British Indian Police Service officer and a [[Lincoln's Inn]] law graduate.<ref name="auto"/> Mahmood's tenure saw a close collaboration with Bhutto, but shifted allegiance to Zia-ul-Haq following the reopening of the [[Nawab Muhammad Ahmed Khan Kasuri]] murder case and he testified against Bhutto, contributing to his execution.<ref name="auto"/>

The necessity and motives behind the FSF's establishment have been subjects of debate. Critics argue that its creation was driven by Bhutto's desire to suppress opposition and instill fear among political adversaries.<ref name="auto"/> The FSF was implicated in several violent incidents, including the killing of Nazir Ahmad, a [[Jamaat-e-Islami (Pakistan)|Jamaat-i-Islami]] leader, and the Liaquat Bagh shooting in 1973, which resulted in numerous casualties.<ref name="auto"/>

The FSF's legitimacy as a coup-prevention unit came under scrutiny, and its operations increasingly attracted public criticism.<ref name="auto"/> The FSF was officially disbanded in July 1977 by [[Zia-ul Haq]] administration.<ref name="auto"/> After its disestablishment in 1977, cases were opened against FSF officials Mian Abbas, Arshad Iqbal, Ghulam Mustafa, and Rana Iftikhar and were later sentenced to death for extrajudicial killings.<ref name="auto"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Law enforcement in Pakistan}}

[[Category:Government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]]
[[Category:1972 establishments in Pakistan]]
[[Category:1977 disestablishments in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Former paramilitary forces of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Secret police]]
[[Category:Defunct government departments and agencies of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1972]]
[[Category:Government agencies disestablished in 1977]]