RAWALPINDI: Police have been directed to immediately establish women and child protection centres at every police station in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal districts.

A police spokesman said on Wednesday that the move aims to ensure a safe and supportive environment for women and child victims.

Dedicated female police officers will handle matters related to vulnerable victims, he said.

As per the directives issued by Rawalpindi Regional Police Officer Babar Sarfraz Alpa, affected women and children will be provided with facilities for case registration, legal guidance and counselling in family disputes.

Babar Sarfraz Alpa said that the purpose of establishing women and child protection centres was to provide affected women and children with case registration facilities, legal guidance, and consultation in family disputes.

At these centres, women and children will be provided with a safe and dignified environment in police stations.

A female police officer will be deployed at the centres established at the police station level and will investigate only cases related to women and children.

The regional police officer further said that the women and child protection centres will also serve as platforms for alternative dispute resolution, where issues will be resolved peacefully through reconciliation between the parties.

These centres will work under the direct supervision of the sub-divisional police officers (SDPOs) concerned, while responsibility for day-to-day performance will lie with the female officers posted at the centres.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2025