First woman cop holding key position in tribal district: Mehak Pervez Masih vows to help women get due rights

LANDIKOTAL: Becoming the first female holding the key position in the district police, Mehak Pervez Masih on Sunday said she would work for the betterment of women and help them get moral, social and legal assistance.

“I would use my powers as a police officer to protect women and make sure they get their constitutional rights,” Additional Station House Officer (SHO) of Landikotal Police Station Mehak Masih told The News.

Mehak Pervez Masih, assistant sub-inspector, is the first female police officer in the history of the district who has been posted to such a position, setting a new precedent for female representation in law enforcement within the tribal areas.

She said the prime objective of her appointment as additional station house officer was to empower women and provide them a friendly environment at police stations.She said the initiative aimed to break traditional barriers and challenge societal norms that have historically limited women’s roles in these areas.

Her appointment is part of a broader initiative to empower women and ensure their active participation in various sectors of society, including law enforcement.

District Police Officer (DPO) Saleem Abbas Kulachi, who has been instrumental in her posting, emphasized that the aim was to provide women with equal opportunities and to create an environment where they can perform their duties without fear or hesitation.

The DPO said Mehak Pervez Masih’s appointment was seen as a significant step towards encouraging and supporting women in the tribal areas.He added that by holding a key position in the police force, Mehak would serve as a role model and inspire countless other women to pursue careers in law enforcement and other fields.

Saleem Abbas Kulachi said the primary objective of appointing a female additional SHO was to ensure better access to justice for women in the district. He said women in tribal areas often faced challenges and may feel more comfortable discussing their issues with a female officer.

Mehak Pervez Masih, being a local herself from the Christian community, is expected to understand and empathize with the concerns of the local women, ensuring their problems were addressed effectively.

Over the past year, the establishment of a women’s desk at the Bara Police Station has successfully resolved numerous issues faced by tribal women. The DPO said that the initiative was not just about appointing a woman to a key position but also about creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all women in the police force.

He said the move was expected to pave the way for more women to join the police force and contribute to maintaining law and order in the region.The decision to appoint a female police officer reflects a broader commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women.