NAROWAL: The Gujranwala Police launched a pilot project, Pink Wheels, with the support of chamber of commerce and industry to provide protection to women.

Under the project, a special response unit, consisting of women police personnel, has been formed to respond to the abuse of women and their other issues. Ten Pink Wheels scooters have been purchased to be used by women officers in the response unit teams. Immediate response will be given to the complaints or information received on emergency 15 or the Police Women Safety App. The Pink Wheels teams will respond to domestic violence against women, rape cases, acid attacks and other calls for help.

Regarding the project, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took to X, saying, “First responders to women in distress will be women. Punjab leading the way”. She shared a video, showing the Pink Wheel scooter squad on the launch of the project.

The pilot project will initially operate in the area of four police stations of Cantt, Satellite Town, Kotwali and Saddar areas where the women personnel would be responsible for immediate response to the complaints of women.

On receiving a call, a Pink Wheels team will reach the spot, secure the crime scene as per standard operating procedure, take photographs of the crime scene and provide legal protection to the victim. The team will immediately call the department concerned and police station.

Women officers will respond to emergency calls in pilot project in Gujranwala

According to the project, Pink Wheels team members have body cameras fitted and the scooters are equipped with first aid facilities. The team has been given checklist software according to which they will perform their duties. After giving the response to Pink Wheels, the investigation team of the police station concerned and the officers will also reach the spot to support the victim women and give them legal assistance.

According to Punjab Police, the team will call all the concerned like Punjab Forensic Science Agency team, a psychologist( in case of rape call), investigating officer and victim support officer and giving protection to the victim. It said that teams will also keep their presence in oft-visited markets by women and women educational institutions during weekends and at peak hours respectively.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2024