HYDERABAD: Sindh Inspector General Dr Syed Kaleem Imam has said that women quota in police jobs will be increased from five to 10 per cent and newcomers will be appointed as ASIs so that they start their professional career “with dignity”.

Speaking at a programme held in the Police Ground here on Friday to mark the International Women’s Day and later speaking to reporters, the IG said that the Sindh police were committed to change the ‘thana culture’. The department was striving hard for a progressive law on the pattern of the Police Order-2002 which was worked out after due deliberations.

“We have decided to assign major and principal roles to women officers so that they can work comfortably,” he said.

IG Imam said that it’s time for de-centralisation and specialisation; that’s why the concept of regional police officer (RPO) was introduced. The posts of “mini-IGs” [additional IGs] were created to take care of three ranges of Hyderabad and two of Sukkur region. “All works and appeals will be handled by these additional IGs locally and they will be referring cases to the IG for ultimate policy and strategy framework,” he explained.

“You will soon hear in days to come that a progressive law has been framed,” he said.

Regarding the event, the IG said that the Sindh police expressed solidarity with women by observing International Women’s Day. He said that a shuttle service, day-care centres and other upgraded facilities were being ensured for policewomen, adding that they would be posted in districts on important positions to enable them to work at a par with their male counterparts.

Hyderabad SSP Sarfaraz Nawaz Shaikh spoke highly of the official in-charge of local Madadgar, Sakina Bhatti. He acknowledged that policewomen in this police range put in their full potential. He indicated that they were taking care of the women protection and complaint cells.

Jamshoro SSP Tauqir Naeem said this region had a rich history as far as women’s struggle was concerned. “We cannot remain in a state of denial in this world of globalisation,” he said.

Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) Hyderabad chief Dr Farid Qasim, Raffia Bangash, Marvi, Shabana Khokhar, Gulnaz and Sakina Bhatti also spoke.

Aurat Azadi March

A large number of women turned up to participate in Aurat Azadi March organised by rights activists to mark International Women’s Day here on Friday.

The participants started the march from Shahbaz Building and walked to the local press club where they took part in a colourful programme and listened to speeches by their leaders.

Women Action Forum activist Amar Sindhu said that Sindh’s future was directly linked with women who did not have their political party.

Arfana Mallah said that women would no more tolerate exploitation in any form. Women were denied right to live but no society could progress without emancipation of women, she said.

Sindhi Aurat Tanzeem leader Zahida Dahri said that women had always fought for their rights and now they would not remain silent over violence.

Women Democratic Front activist from Islamabad, Asmat Shahjehan, said that women would now take their destiny in their own hands. She slammed Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government for “being silent” over rights of women.

The gathering adopted a resolution calling upon federal and provincial governments to ensure constitutional guarantee of minimum wages to women, ban forced labour, provide economic opportunities to women, amend Sindh Tenancy Act and distribute land among landless women.

It further demanded enactment of Sindh Domestic Workers Act, abolition of Council of Islamic Ideology, amendment to marriage act and law of inheritance.

Folk singers Mai Zainab, Taj Mastani, Comrade Fozia and others sang different songs.

Home-Based Women Workers Federation also organised a rally. The NGO’s general secretary Zahra Khan said that Pakistan was facing worst crisis and the government had made the country “slave” to International Monetary Fund, World Bank and other moneylending institutions.

Peasant leader Sabhagi Bheel said that women peasantry was passing a life worse than animals, especially Hindu women who faced slavery in a disgraceful manner.

Sindh University organised a seminar to mark the day where Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Fateh Mohammad said that Pakistani women were still far away from real freedom. True liberation of women could happen after women’s socio-economic and gender emancipation, he said.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2019