Asim Munir’s New Security Doctrine: Pakistan Plans To Bring Provincial Police Under National Command

Last Updated:June 04, 2026, 15:20 IST

Critics argue that such centralisation could weaken provincial autonomy, particularly in sensitive regions such as Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh.

Facing an increasingly complex internal security landscape marked by terrorism, separatist violence and growing instability in several provinces, Pakistan is preparing a major overhaul of its internal security framework. According to top intelligence sources, Islamabad is working on a new five-year National Internal Security Policy that seeks to centralise policing and law enforcement structures across the country under a unified national framework.

The proposed reforms come at a time when Pakistan is battling persistent militant threats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a renewed insurgency in Balochistan, sectarian violence and growing concerns over cross-border terrorism. The government is also under pressure to reassure international stakeholders, particularly China and the United States, that it possesses a coherent and effective mechanism to deal with internal security threats.

At the centre of the proposed restructuring is Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir’s vision of integrating Pakistan’s multiple security agencies into a more coordinated system. Sources indicate that discussions are underway to establish a Pakistan General Police Headquarters on the lines of the military’s General Headquarters (GHQ), with the National Police Bureau (NPB) assuming a significantly enhanced role in shaping national policing strategies.

The proposals have gained momentum following the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), a move viewed by observers as part of a broader effort to streamline command structures. Pakistan’s Federal Interior Ministry has reportedly sought inputs from provincial police chiefs ahead of a crucial National Police Management Board meeting expected to discuss the reforms.

The draft policy aims to address what officials describe as a “serious disconnect" among law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Key features include integration of national crime databases, enhanced inter-provincial intelligence sharing, standardised security mechanisms and the expansion of Counter-Terrorism Departments into Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

However, the proposals are already generating debate. According to intelligence assessments, the new framework could place provincial police forces under a national structure heavily influenced by the military leadership, blurring the traditional distinction between external defence and civilian law enforcement.

Critics argue that such centralisation could weaken provincial autonomy, particularly in sensitive regions such as Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh, where local grievances and ethnic tensions remain significant. They warn that transferring greater authority to Islamabad-based institutions may deepen perceptions of political marginalisation and further complicate efforts to address long-standing insurgencies.

Supporters, however, contend that a unified command structure is necessary to confront evolving security threats and improve coordination among Pakistan’s fragmented law enforcement agencies. Whether the proposed reforms emerge as a genuine security modernisation effort or a further consolidation of military influence will likely shape Pakistan’s internal security landscape for years to come.

About the Author

Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

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