US, FC KPK officials inaugurate new training facilities, sign agreement for $10.5 million projects

Islamabad: United States Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Todd D. Robinson and the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan INL Section Director Mark Tervakoski joined Inspector General of Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa South Major General Muhammad Munir Afsar, Deputy Inspector General of Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa North Major Brigadier Sajid Majeed, and other senior Frontier Corps leadership as they inaugurated new training structures and signed an agreement for two joint projects worth approximately $10.5 million (2.1 billion PKR) on July 1, 2022.

The ceremonies were held at the Pakistan Army General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and celebrated the completion of 45 new structures at FC KP North’s Warsak Training Center, including accommodation barracks for 500 men and 128 women, classrooms, and facilities for physical training. The $5.9 million U.S. government-funded project was completed in 2020 but the inauguration was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials also signed an agreement for the construction of women’s facilities at eight existing FC KP South regional headquarters. The $4.6 million U.S. government-funded project will provide barracks, dining halls, kitchens, and other facilities which will support stationing of up to 128 women Frontier Corps members at each location.

“It is clear these investments will have a lasting positive impact,” said Robinson in his remarks.  “The strengthening of law enforcement’s presence and the writ of government in remote and under-governed areas leads to increased public safety and prosperity for the people of those regions.”

Regarding the women’s facilities, Robinson said, “The United States is pleased to partner with Pakistan to enhance opportunities for women to access justice and to participate in the administration of justice.” He further noted that, “as more women join the ranks of Pakistan’s various public safety forces, they will inevitably deepen their agencies’ understanding of women’s safety issues and enhance the quality of service offered to all Pakistanis.”

This year marks the 40-year anniversary of partnership between INL and Pakistan under the banner of “Justice, Security, and Prosperity,” with more than $1 billion invested over four decades by the United States government to improve public safety and enhance law enforcement, prosecutorial, and judicial capacity across Pakistan. 

The INL Bureau works in more than 60 countries to help combat crime and corruption; counter the narcotics trade; improve police institutions; and promote court systems that are fair and accountable.