LAHORE: In a significant move to empower women in law enforcement and improve their living conditions, Multan police have inaugurated a state-of-the-art Ladies Hostel at Police Lines.

This milestone marks a critical advancement in the Punjab police’s ongoing efforts to promote gender inclusion and institutional support for female personnel.

The facility was officially inaugurated two days ago by Multan RPO retired Capt Sohail Chaudhry, CPO Sadi Ali Dogar, and CTO Sardar Mavarhan Khan.

Designed to address longstanding accommodation challenges faced by female police staff, especially those posted from outlying cities such as Shujabad, Jalalpur, Dunyapur, and Kabirwala, the new hostel provides modern, secure housing within Police Lines. Previously, many officers resided in basic barrack facilities that lacked privacy and comfort.

The newly-constructed hostel can house up to 27 female personnel across nine air-conditioned rooms, with each room shared by three officers. It includes two fully equipped kitchens, a laundry facility, dining room, furnished common areas, a TV lounge, a library, and a dedicated day care centre — an especially welcome addition for officers with children. As of now, 20 female personnel and their children have taken up residence in the facility.

“This hostel is part of a broader welfare initiative,” said RPO Chaudhry while speaking to Dawn. “We aim to provide comprehensive support to women officers, enabling them to serve efficiently without compromising on personal comfort or family responsibilities.”

He noted that no rent or fees are being charged, reflecting the government’s commitment to welfare-driven reforms in the police department.

“It’s about recognising the dedication of our female force and giving them the environment they deserve to perform at their best,” he said.

In addition to housing upgrades, the RPO highlighted recent progress in driving education under the Multan Police’s Training School. Since January 2025, a record 6,694 individuals have received hands-on driver training combined with lessons on traffic laws and basic vehicle maintenance.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2025