Limited number of women’s police stations, low public awareness and institutional deficiencies hamper women’s pursuit of justice
KARACHI/LAHORE/PESHAWAR:
Despite official claims of reform, women’s access to the police in Pakistan remains unequal, determined by structural gaps, cultural barriers and limited representation. From Punjab to Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), women continue to face challenges both as citizens seeking justice and as officials serving the system.
In Lahore, women’s access to police services remains fraught with difficulties. A limited number of women’s police stations, low public awareness and institutional deficiencies continue to hinder women from seeking justice. Although the Punjab government has introduced reforms like the Virtual Women Police Station, awareness of these initiatives remains minimal.
A recent case illustrates the problem. Rehan Bibi and Saadia Kausar, two sisters from southern Punjab, traveled to Lahore to resolve a property dispute with their brothers, but had difficulty navigating the police system. With little education and no knowledge of procedures, they were attended to by male officers in the absence of female staff and were not guided to seek help from female officers.
“We had no idea how the system works. No one ever informed us,” they told The Express PAkGazette, describing the experience as confusing and distressing.
Despite Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s directives to improve police behaviour, the reality on the ground often falls short. Lahore, despite being a major metropolitan centre, has only a handful of women’s police stations. Women’s support services exist in general police stations, but are generally considered insufficient.
A key issue is the shortage of female staff. Women are often required to interact with male officers, causing discomfort and lack of confidence. Delays in FIR registration, insufficient attention to domestic violence cases and lack of privacy further discourage women from seeking justice.
Social groups emphasize that the absence of safe and separate spaces to report discourages women from coming forward. While the Virtual Women Police Station, launched by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, offers an alternative through helplines, mobile apps and online communication, its potential remains underutilized due to lack of awareness.
DIG Lahore Faisal Kamran maintains that progress is being made. “The Lahore Police Operations Wing has 21,100 personnel, including 1,252 women officers. Of the 84 police stations in the city, Race Course police station has been designated as a women police station. Women are also included in field teams and specialized units, including those dealing with sexual harassment cases,” Kamran said.
However, experts argue that meaningful reform requires more than policy announcements; requires implementation, accessibility and building trust.
Similar patterns emerge in Sindh. While policing remains a demanding profession, many women continue to serve resiliently, often balancing professional duties with family responsibilities. Some are even seen managing childcare during work hours, reflecting both dedication and systemic gaps in support.
Despite their contributions, women remain underrepresented. Of the approximately 150,000 Sindh Police personnel, only 5,815 are women (i.e. 3.8 percent of the force). Although the quota for women was set at 10 percent and there are plans to increase it to 15 percent, progress has been slow.
Representation at higher levels is also limited. Only seven women serve as superintendents of police, three as deputy superintendents, 24 as deputy superintendents, 100 as inspectors and 47 as sub-inspectors.
In Karachi, all 108 general police stations are manned by male officers. Female SHOs are restricted to women’s police stations, of which there are only three in the city.
Senior officer Shahla Qureshi, who has worked extensively in Sindh Police and now works in SP Operations in Quetta, emphasizes that increasing quotas alone is insufficient. “Women must be given real opportunities,” he said, noting that women SHOs like Ghazala Syed have demonstrated exemplary performance when entrusted with leadership roles.
Another prominent figure, Suhai Aziz Talpur, led the response to the 2018 attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi, successfully foiling the assault while serving as SSP South. Her leadership remains a powerful example of the capabilities of women in high-pressure roles.
However, challenges remain at the lower ranks. A female officer stationed outside the Karachi Press Club, speaking anonymously, described policing as male-dominated. Despite being a graduate, she has remained a police officer for years, highlighting the lack of career progression. “Women prove themselves when they are given responsibility,” she said, calling for promotions based on merit.
Khizar Hayat, vice-chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (Sindh chapter), believes that increasing the representation of women in leadership roles would not only improve police standards but also strengthen public trust, especially for female victims seeking justice.
In KP, the challenges are even more pronounced. For many women, joining the police force is not just a career choice but a fight against entrenched social norms and logistical barriers.
In Peshawar, where the police force exceeds 10,000, only about 165 women work in 34 police stations. On average, there are only two or three female officers available per shift, reflecting a serious shortage.
Women officers have various responsibilities, from participating in raids and managing women’s desks to escorting prisoners and providing security during religious events and elections. However, structural problems persist. Many come from remote districts and lack access to accommodation, while transportation, especially for night duties, remains a major concern.
An officer told The Express PAkGazette that married officers often bring their children to work due to lack of support. Although a daycare exists, security problems make it unreliable. “Reconciling duty and family in such conditions is extremely difficult,” he said.
While there is a 10 per cent quota, women make up less than 1 per cent of the province’s 100,000-strong force, with only about 1,800 officers. Cultural barriers and security challenges further restrict participation, particularly in tribal districts.
Despite this, stories of resilience continue to emerge. In Budh Bher, a sensitive area once affected by militancy, Saima Sharif has been appointed additional SHO, the first woman to hold the post there. For her, the role is deeply personal; his brother, Moeen, was martyred in 2012 while fighting militants in the same area.
“I belong to a family of martyrs. The honor of the uniform comes above all else,” she said, underscoring her commitment to addressing cases involving women, particularly honor-related crimes.
The KP Police has introduced reforms, including the appointment of a female district police officer in Chitral and the addition of women to the investigation units. Additional female SHOs have also been posted in the tribal districts of Swat and Khyber for the first time.
Across Pakistan, the presence of women in the police is slowly expanding, but progress remains uneven. While policy actions and individual success stories indicate change, systemic barriers continue to limit both participation and impact.
Closing the gap between policies and practices will require not only increased recruitment, but also structural reforms, awareness-raising and a change in institutional culture, ensuring that justice is accessible, inclusive and equitable for all.
