Today I visited Balahisar fort, the incredibly impressive fortress where the Frontier Corps are headquartered may be as much as 2000 years old. I did an interview with the FC's impressive commander General Tariq Khan.

The British extended their rule to Peshawar in 1849 and reenforced the then mud fort at with bricks. 
On 14 August 1947, the Pakistan flag hoisted over Balahisar, and the following year it became the Headquarters of the Frontier Corps (FC).

The FC's paramilitary force, neglected for the past couple of decades, is being beefed up, including US aid and trainers, in the hopes that - since its members are Pathans from the tribal areas - it can be more effective in fighting militants who are gaining in strength there.  I will be writing about the prospects for remaking the FC in my Sunday column.