Islamabad (Adnan Hameed): U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker launched the Pasban Awam Saath Saath Program in Islamabad, a significant initiative aimed at strengthening police-community collaboration, empowering women in law enforcement, and promoting citizen-focused policing in Pakistan.
The program, developed in partnership with Pakistan’s civilian security agencies, the U.S. Institute of Peace, and the U.S. Embassy, has already achieved notable milestones, including a 20% increase in women’s representation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s police force and 25% in Balochistan. Over 1,600 women and 70 transgender officers in Punjab have been trained in trauma-informed policing, resolving 1,500 cases for the transgender community. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Public Complaint Redressal System has addressed more than 50,000 complaints across 35 districts.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Baker expressed the United States’ unwavering commitment to supporting women’s leadership in Pakistan’s law enforcement sector. “This extraordinary partnership represents a shared vision of equality, justice, and peace,” said Baker. “We are proud to support Pakistan’s women police officers as they transform their communities and gain global recognition for their courage and leadership.”
As part of efforts to improve safety for women and girls, the United States has supported gender desks at model police stations, five Anti-Rape Crisis Cells, and a GBV Case Tracker system to fast-track cases in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The event celebrated the achievements of Pakistani women police officers, including Senior Superintendent Riffat Bokhari and Superintendent Beenish Fatima, who earned international accolades this year.