Limited number of female police stations, low public awareness, institutional deficiencies hinder women from seeking justice
KARACHI/LAHORE/PESHAWAR:
Despite official calls for reform, access to policing for women in Pakistan remains uneven, shaped 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 officers serving in the system.
In Lahore, access to police services for women remains fraught with difficulties. A limited number of female police stations, low public awareness and institutional deficiencies continue to prevent women from seeking justice. Although the Punjab government has introduced reforms such as the Virtual Women’s Police Station, awareness of these initiatives is still minimal.
A recent case illustrates the problem. Rehan Bibi and Saadia Kausar, two sisters from southern Punjab, traveled to Lahore to pursue a property dispute with their brothers, but struggled to navigate the police system. With little training and no awareness 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. Nobody ever informed us,” they told The Express Pakinomist, describing the experience as confusing and worrying.
Despite directives from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to improve police behavior, reality often falls short. Lahore, despite being a large urban center, has only a handful of female police stations. Female help desks at regular police stations exist, but they are generally considered inadequate.
A key issue is the lack of female staff. Women are often required to interact with male officers, leading to discomfort and a lack of trust. Delays in FIR registration, inadequate 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 reporting rooms discourages women from coming forward. While the Virtual Women Police Station – launched by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority – offers an alternative through helplines, mobile applications and online communication, its potential remains underutilized due to lack of awareness.
DIG Lahore Faisal Kamran maintains that progress is being made. “Lahore’s police operations wing comprises 21,100 personnel, including 1,252 women officers. Out of the city’s 84 police stations, Race Course Police Station has been designated as a women’s police station. Women are also included in field teams and specialized units, including those handling cases of sexual harassment,” claimed Kamran.
Yet experts argue that meaningful reforms require more than policy announcements; it requires implementation, availability and trust building.
In Sindh, similar patterns emerge. While policing remains a demanding profession, many women continue to serve with resilience, often balancing professional duties with family responsibilities. Some are even seen managing childcare during on-call hours, reflecting both dedication and systemic deficiencies in support.
Despite their contribution, women remain underrepresented. Out of approximately 150,000 Sindh police personnel, only 5,815 are women, just 3.8 percent of the force. Although the quota for women was set at 10 percent, with plans to raise it to 15 percent, progress has been slow.
Representation at senior levels is also limited. Only seven women serve as Inspectors of Police, three as Assistant Inspectors of Police, 24 as Deputy Inspectors, 100 as Inspectors and 47 as Sub-Inspectors.
In Karachi, all 108 general police stations are headed by male Station House Officers. Women SHOs are restricted to women police stations, of which there are only three in the city.
Senior officer Shahla Qureshi, who has served extensively in Sindh Police and now works as SP Operations in Quetta, stresses that increased quotas alone are insufficient. “Women must be given real opportunities,” she said, noting that women SHOs like Ghazala Syed have shown 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 attack while serving as SSP South. Her leadership continues to be a strong example of women’s abilities in high-pressure roles.
However, the challenges continue in lower ranks. A female officer stationed outside the Karachi Press Club, who spoke anonymously, described policing as male-dominated. Despite graduating, she has remained a constable for years, underscoring 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 women’s representation in leadership roles will not only improve police standards but also strengthen public confidence, especially in 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 struggle against entrenched social norms and logistical barriers.
In Peshawar, where the police force exceeds 10,000 personnel, only about 165 women officers serve in 34 police stations. On average, there are only two to three female officers available per shift, reflecting a serious shortage.
Female officers have various responsibilities from participating in raids and managing women’s desks to escorting prisoners and security during religious events and elections. Yet structural problems remain. Many come from remote districts and lack access to accommodation, while transport – especially for night duties – remains a major problem.
A woman constable told The Express Pakinomist that married officers often bring their children to work due to lack of support. Although a day care center exists, security concerns make it unreliable. “Balancing duty and family under such conditions is extremely difficult,” she said.
While there is a 10 percent quota, women make up less than 1 percent of the province’s 100,000-strong force, with only about 1,800 officers. Cultural barriers and security challenges further limit participation, especially in tribal districts.
Despite this, stories of resilience continue to emerge. In Budh Bher, a sensitive area that was once hit by militancy, Saima Sharif has been appointed as Additional SHO – the first woman to hold the post there. For her, the role is deeply personal; her 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 before everything,” she said, stressing her commitment to dealing with cases involving women, especially honour-related crimes.
The KP police has introduced reforms, including the appointment of a female district police officer in Chitral and inducting women into investigative units. Women Additional SHOs have also been posted in Swat and Khyber tribal districts for the first time.
Across Pakistan, the presence of women in the police force is growing slowly, but progress remains uneven. While policy initiatives and individual success stories signal change, systemic barriers continue to limit both participation and impact.
Bridging the gap between policy and practice will require not only increased recruitment, but also structural reforms, awareness and a shift in institutional culture – ensuring that justice is accessible, inclusive and fair for all.
