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Law enforcement in Pakistan
Law enforcement in Pakistan (Urdu: ادارہ ہائی نفاذِ قانون، پاکستان; Devanagari: इदारा हाई नफ़ाज़े-क़ानून, पाकिस्तान ) constitutes one of the three primary components of the country's criminal justice system, alongside the judiciary and the prison system. Pakistan features a combination of federal, provincial, and territorial police forces that perform both general and specialised functions. The senior positions within all provincial forces, as well as most federal agencies, are typically filled by members of the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP). The PSP is regarded as one of the most prestigious branches of the Central Superior Services, which is Pakistan's principal civil service organization. Federal law enforcement agencies are primarily supervised by the Ministry of Interior of the Government of Pakistan, while the provincial police forces are managed by respective departments of the provincial government.
Overview[edit]
Federal Law Enforcement[edit]
- Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation
- National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency
- National Highways and Motorway Police
- National Counter Terrorism Authority
- Animal Quarantine Department
- Department of Plant Protection
- Federal Investigation Agency
- Pakistan Railways Police
- Financial Monitoring Unit
- Airports Security Force
- Anti-Narcotics Force
- Pakistan Customs
Training and Policy[edit]
Police Forces[edit]
- Islamabad Police
- Balochistan Police
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police
- Gilgit-Baltistan Police
- Azad Kashmir Police
- Sindh Police
- Punjab Police
Paramilitary forces[edit]
Provincial and territorial police[edit]
The four provinces of Pakistan—Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan—each maintain their own police force, structured to address the specific challenges of their respective regions and equipped with specialised and elite units. Each provincial police force is led by a Commissioner of Police, who serves as the Inspector-General and is a senior officer from the Police Service of Pakistan. Additionally, some provincial police forces receive regular support from federal paramilitary units operating within those areas. All provincial police forces include a Counter Terrorism Department and a Special Branch.
Traditionally, the uniform for Pakistani provincial police officers consists of a black shirt paired with tan trousers. In 2017, the police in Punjab adopted an olive green uniform but reverted to the traditional attire in 2019. By 2020, all provinces agreed to implement the uniform style worn in Islamabad, which features light blue or white shirts combined with dark blue trousers.
Balochistan[edit]
- The Balochistan Police operates across 7 districts within the Balochistan province.
- The Balochistan Constabulary serves as a reserve police unit for the Balochistan Police.
- The Balochistan Levies is a paramilitary police force that functions in 23 out of Balochistan's 30 districts.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa[edit]
- The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police is the primary civilian police force in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
- The Reserve Frontier Police acts as the reserve unit for the KP Police.
- The Special Combat Unit is designated for counter-terrorism operations.
- The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Levies, comprising 11,739 personnel, are organized by provincial or local governments to enhance security in their respective areas. This includes units such as:
- Dir Levies
- Malakand Levies
- The Levies and Khasadar Forces have been integrated into the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police or have been pensioned off.
Punjab[edit]
- The Punjab Police operates within the Punjab province.
- The Dolphin Force is tasked with addressing street crime.
- The Elite Police conducts counter-terrorism operations.
- The Police Qaumi Razakars act as a support force for the Punjab Police in their various responsibilities.
- Punjab Highway Patrol is responsible for patrolling highways.
- Punjab Prisons oversees the management of 43 prisons within the province.
Sindh[edit]
- The Sindh Police operates within the Sindh province.
- The Special Security Unit (SSU) is a specialized counterterrorism and security unit based in Karachi, with operational jurisdiction extending throughout Sindh. The SSU was established in 2010 as a response to the rising rates of terrorism in the region.
Territories[edit]
Islamabad[edit]
Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, has its own police force known as the Islamabad Police, which includes subordinate units such as the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP).
Azad Kashmir[1][edit]
The Azad Kashmir Police operates in the semi-autonomous region of Azad Kashmir, responsible for maintaining law and order in that area.
Gilgit-Baltistan[edit]
The Gilgit-Baltistan Police functions within the semi-autonomous Gilgit-Baltistan region, providing law enforcement and security services.
Police Service of Pakistan (PSP)[edit]
| Police Service of Pakistan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Common name | Pakistan Police |
| Abbreviation | PSP |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1948 |
| Preceding agency | |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | PAK |
| Governing body | Ministry of Interior |
| General nature | |
| Notables | |
| Award |
|
The Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) was established in 1948, following the country's creation, replacing the former Indian Imperial Police. This service oversees and leads various federal, provincial, and territorial police forces throughout Pakistan. Officers within the PSP are deployed across different districts, provinces, and stations nationwide. Many of the top law enforcement roles in the country, such as Inspector Generals in provinces, Directors General of the Intelligence Bureau and Federal Investigation Agency, as well as superintendents of the Frontier Constabulary and National Highways and Motorway Police, are occupied by PSP members.
Recruitment into the PSP is highly competitive, with a rigorous examination conducted annually by the Federal Public Service Commission. Those who succeed in this exam must complete a six-month foundational training program known as the Common Training Programme (CTP) at the Civil Services Academy (CSA) located in Lahore, followed by an additional 18 months of specialized training at the National Police Academy in Islamabad.
The PSP operates mainly through the four provincial governments and the Islamabad Capital Territory, with each police service having jurisdiction limited to its respective province or territory.
In addition to investigating crimes and handling suspected unlawful activities, law enforcement agencies play a crucial role in responding to emergencies, ensuring public safety, protecting infrastructure, and maintaining order in the country. Their responsibilities also include executing and enforcing court orders, such as warrants and writs, as well as detaining individuals accused of criminal activities pending legal proceedings.
Designations of PSP officers[edit]
| Grade | Police Ranks/Provincial Appointments | Secretarial/Federal Appointments |
|---|---|---|
| BPS-17 |
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| BPS-18 |
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| BPS-19 |
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| BPS-20 |
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| BPS-21 |
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| BPS-22 |
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| BPS-22 |
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References[edit]
- ↑ Pakistan illegally occupied Kashmir
Read also[edit]
- Federal Security Force (Pakistan), a defunct law enforcement agency
- Civil Armed Forces
- List of cases of law enforcement brutality in Pakistan
- Crime in Pakistan
- Organised crime in Pakistan