Special Desks for Women and Transgender Persons in Peshawar Police Stations Inactive Due to Lack of Female Staff

These special desks were initially set up by former IG Nasir Khan Durrani in response to increasing incidents of violence against transgender persons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Peshawar: The special desks established in Peshawar police stations to assist women and transgender persons have become inactive, primarily due to the insufficient number of female police officers. This lack of staff has not only diminished the effectiveness of these desks but also delayed the timely redressal of complaints.

These special desks were initially set up by former IG Nasir Khan Durrani in response to increasing incidents of violence against transgender persons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, according to Arzoo, President of the Transgender Association in Peshawar, these desks have failed to provide the promised support, leaving the transgender community in distress as violence against them continues to rise.

Women in Peshawar are also facing difficulties due to the inactivity of these desks, with many having to wait outside police station gates for extended periods. The purpose of these desks was to address issues like domestic violence, property disputes, and serious injustices faced by women, but they became inactive shortly after their establishment, exacerbating the challenges women face.

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Peshawar's police force statistics highlight the shortage of female officers. In a city with over 4.7 million residents, there are only 95 female police officers, of which just 15 are assigned to police stations.

Transgender activist Mahi Gul noted that while FIRs are registered when a transgender person is assaulted, the perpetrators are often released quickly. She suggested that holding regular open courts for transgender persons across the province could help them raise their concerns and reduce violence against them.

Women also shared their struggles with inactive desks. Samina Gul from Peshawar’s Gulbahar area had to report her complaint to male officers despite a desk being present, as no female officer was available. Similarly, Abida Bibi from Hayatabad faced difficulties in lodging her inheritance-related complaint as the special desk was only operational until 2 PM.

Rehana Ismail, a female member of the KP Assembly, stated that under the KP Police Act 2017, every constituency should have a police station dedicated to women. However, due to a lack of funds, this project has not been fully implemented by the provincial government.

Meanwhile, violence against women and transgender persons has increased in the province. Government representative Fazal Elahi mentioned that there is a shortage of female officers and constables for these desks. Despite efforts to recruit, women are less inclined to join the police force, and issues like lack of accommodation and transport for female officers persist.

CCPO Peshawar, Qasim Ali Khan, assured that female police officers are being recruited, and the women’s desks in Peshawar will soon be reactivated. He emphasized the importance of a comprehensive police force and mentioned that special desks are still operational in major districts like Peshawar, Mardan, and Mansehra. The police are committed to addressing the issues of women and transgender persons and will ensure that their concerns are prioritized.