[🇵🇰] Who guards Pakistani embassies and consulates around the world?

[ThunderCat]

We do not have the personnel or budget to guard our foreign diplomatic missions. That is the official position of the MOFA.

And as I wrote, I agree, but are there any archive images of these embassy guards?

 

[Lulldapull]

Here in Japan I went to Pakistan embassy in Tokyo with my Japanese wife a long while ago to renew my passport/ NICOP card and the consul general sahb was such a nice man he invited us for tea/ coffee/ biscuit, told us all da drama in our very tightened financial situation.........And there wasn't a single security person here in Tokyo.......Totally safe crime free country this Japan. Pakistan is an old friend of Japan and its an amicable relationship between our two countries. Donations da dubba entrance te rakhya hae ga….. I put money in it to help out. Building de marammat, lawn/ landscaping grounds keeping needed some help. Paint and upkeep…..if you are in a position to help improve the image of your country then do it….. carorron dollar nu lay kar qabar main jaana hae? Go help the Pakistani missions overseas if you are overseas Pakistani because our country is in a jam.

 

[ThunderCat]

Here in Japan I went to Pakistan embassy in Tokyo with my Japanese wife a long while ago to renew my passport/ NICOP card and the consul general sahb was such a nice man he invited us for tea/ coffee/ biscuit, told us all da drama in our very tightened financial situation.........And there wasn't a single security person here in Tokyo.......Totally safe crime free country this Japan. Pakistan is an old friend of Japan and its an amicable relationship between our two countries. Donations da dubba entrance te rakhya hae ga….. I put money in it to help out. Building de marammat, lawn/ landscaping grounds keeping needed some help. Paint and upkeep…..if you are in a position to help improve the image of your country then do it….. carorron dollar nu lay kar qabar main jaana hae? Go help the Pakistani missions overseas if you are overseas Pakistani because our country is in a jam.

No need for embassy guards in Japan. Or Switzerland of Gulf states. Those are some of the last places i'd seek guards in. But there are countries that would probably require it.

 

[Azad Kashmir]

security for zardaris and sharifs must be enormous budget cost at the tax payer.

 

[Old School]

security for zardaris and sharifs must be enormous budget cost at the tax payer.

You need security only if you have enemies or you have done harm to people. Pakistan has no real enemy outside Pakistan. Pakistan’s enemies live inside Pakistan and there is no security for Pakistani people from those enemies.

 

[ThunderCat]

@Old School here is a pic of the Pak embassy at Jakarta. The blue hat officer is what I saw on the personnel at the Moscow embassy:

 

[Old School]

@Old School here is a pic of the Pak embassy at Jakarta. The blue hat officer is what I saw on the personnel at the Moscow embassy:

They are not officially Jakarta Embassy staff except the Colonel, who is the defense attache. I have a similar image of the Moscow embassy below. You will also see that even Air Force and Navy officers are there. They are not part of the Embassy staff either.

 

[ThunderCat]

They are not officially Jakarta Embassy staff except the Colonel, who is the defense attache. I have a similar image of the Moscow embassy below. You will also see that even Air Force and Navy officers are there. They are not part of the Embassy staff either.

So just to clarify, they are not tasked with guarding the embassy premise? Are the defense attache' the military wing of the embassy representing the military there?

 

[Old School]

So just to clarify, they are not tasked with guarding the embassy premise? Are the defense attache' the military wing of the embassy representing the military there?

They are not guards. The defense attaché advises the ambassadors on all military matters. He is basically the defense advisor to the embassy. He can have his own staff as needed.

 

[ThunderCat]

Here is what I got from AI on who would be guarding Pakistani embassies theoretically. And it was correct for me to assume it is the Federal Constabulary:

The theoretical suitability of an agency for guarding Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad depends on a nuanced understanding of their mandates, training, and operational capabilities. While all three mentioned agencies—the Pakistan Rangers, the Frontier Corps (FC), and the Federal Constabulary (FCY)—have security roles within Pakistan, their suitability for international diplomatic protection varies significantly.
For guarding Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad, the most suitable agency would theoretically be a specialized unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a highly trained and vetted contingent from the Federal Constabulary (FCY), provided it receives specific training for international diplomatic protection and operates under the direct purview of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.


Let's break down why, considering the roles of each agency:

Pakistan Rangers​

The Pakistan Rangers are a paramilitary force primarily responsible for border security, internal security, and aiding civil administration in maintaining law and order within Pakistan, particularly in Sindh and Punjab provinces.[1] Their training focuses on counter-terrorism, anti-smuggling operations, and crowd control within a domestic context.[2] While they possess significant security capabilities, their mandate and operational experience are largely confined to Pakistan's borders and internal security challenges. Deploying them abroad for diplomatic protection would require a significant shift in their operational doctrine, international legal training, and understanding of diplomatic protocols, which are distinct from their current roles.[3] Furthermore, their primary role as a border force might lead to perceptions of a more militarized presence, which is generally avoided in diplomatic settings unless absolutely necessary.

Frontier Corps (FC)​

The Frontier Corps is another paramilitary force, primarily operating in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, with a focus on border security, counter-insurgency, and maintaining law and order in tribal areas.[4] Similar to the Rangers, their training and operational experience are deeply rooted in the specific security challenges of Pakistan's western borders and tribal regions.[5] Their expertise lies in rugged terrain operations and dealing with non-state actors within a domestic or border context. Deploying FC personnel for diplomatic protection abroad would present similar challenges to the Rangers, including a lack of specific training in international diplomatic law, protocol, and the nuances of protecting diplomatic premises in foreign jurisdictions.[6] Their operational methods, while effective in their designated areas, might not align with the delicate nature of international diplomatic security.

Federal Constabulary (FCY)​

The Federal Constabulary (FCY) is a relatively newer force, established with the primary objective of protecting federal government installations and personnel within Pakistan.[7] Its mandate is more aligned with static guard duties and the protection of sensitive sites. While still primarily a domestic force, its focus on federal assets makes it theoretically more adaptable to the requirements of diplomatic protection abroad compared to the Rangers or FC.[8]


The FCY's suitability hinges on several critical factors:

• Specialized Training: For international diplomatic missions, the FCY would need to establish a highly specialized unit dedicated to diplomatic protection. This unit would require extensive training in international law, diplomatic immunity, host nation laws, cultural sensitivity, advanced close protection techniques, threat assessment specific to diplomatic environments, and crisis management in foreign territories.[9]
• Operational Mandate: Its mandate would need to be expanded to explicitly include the protection of Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad, with clear lines of command and control under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[10]
• Vetting and Selection: Personnel selected for such a unit would need rigorous vetting, psychological evaluations, and a high level of professionalism to represent Pakistan effectively on foreign soil.[11]
• Coordination with Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Unlike the Rangers or FC, which fall under the Ministry of Interior, the FCY, or a specialized unit derived from it, would need to operate in very close coordination with, and potentially under the direct operational control of, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure adherence to diplomatic norms and foreign policy objectives.[12]

In conclusion, while the Rangers and FC are vital for Pakistan's internal and border security, their operational mandates and training are not inherently suited for the complexities of international diplomatic protection. The Federal Constabulary, being a force focused on protecting federal assets, has a more adaptable foundation. However, its suitability for guarding diplomatic missions abroad would depend entirely on the establishment of a highly specialized, well-trained, and internationally oriented unit within its structure, operating under the direct guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This would ensure that the security provided is not only effective but also compliant with international law and diplomatic protocols.

---