Imagine walking into a police station with the purpose not to lodge a complaint but to have a coffee under the shade of the cheeku tree. This isn’t a scene from a fictional TV show but an everyday affair at this coffee shop at the Model Town Police Station, Lahore, which has literally transformed the vibe of the entire place.

So then, it ceases to matter whether you get to rub shoulders with cops in uniform.

This is a fresh concept for the law enforcement agency. The idea was born circa 2022 when Suleman Khan, the owner of Third Culture Coffee, one of the city’s popular upscale cafés, met the then Gulberg ASP Shehrbano Naqvi who had been a regular at the outlet. Back then, Naqvi was working on an animal rescue initiative. She happened to discuss with Khan the possibility of creating a pet-friendly coffee space.

“It started with a brief chat,” Khan recalls. “But Madam Naqvi’s idea led the IG [Dr Usman Anwar] to think bigger. He said that most police stations in Lahore had been renovated, and so we could pick a location [for a café] of our choice.” After a bit of reconnaissance, Khan and his business partners opted for the police station in Model Town Block A, which has a spacious lawn and citrus trees.

The project took some time to finalise. By September 2024, the café was ready to roll.

The stated mission behind setting up a café for the public on the premises of a police station is “not only to provide a welcoming space but also to promote a softer, more approachable image of the police force.

“The primary goal… is to bridge the gap between law enforcement officers and the community they serve. It fosters trust, encourages open dialogue, and humanises officers by creating informal spaces for interaction,” reads the review plan document.

Talking to TNS, IGP Dr Anwar says, “I’ve always found the term ‘thana culture’ disturbing. This [café] project shall hopefully change that image in the eyes of the public.”

Judging from the kind of crowds the café is attracting on a daily basis, the target has already been achieved. As Dr Anwar puts it, “Families are showing up. They interact with the police officials around the place, and warm up to them in a friendly environment.”

On a relatively sunny, late-November afternoon, families, couples and young students could be spotted enjoying themselves in the Model Town Police Station café whose seating area extends into the lawn. Two children were playing with a football. They occasionally chased the ball to the front desk area of the police station. As they went in, they were greeted by a smiling lady constable. The children grabbed the ball and returned to the café.

The café’s location makes it a secure hangout spot. To quote Khan, “Parents feel comfortable bringing their children here because there’s only one gate, and it’s always manned by sentries.”

When asked about the reaction of the cops, Khan says “they too have adjusted to the influx of civilians.

“Initially, we had some concerns, for instance, about how the public would behave around police officials, and vice versa. But everyone seems to have adapted to it quickly.”

There are always those who are reluctant to change. The police officials at the office of the muharrar express reservations about the public entering their territory. “The music sometimes disturbs us,” says one.

For another cop, the biggest peeve is “the way the people are dressed up. We are a Muslim country, but some people show up in bold outfits.”

Khan says the question of dress code was addressed well in advance. “If someone drops by in their workout wear, that’s fine; but for others we’d prefer proper attire. It’s about decorum.”

For ASP Naqvi, the project is all about openness and transparency. “Police premises are typically viewed as inaccessible spaces. This initiative shows that we can create an environment where the public feels close to those appointed for their protection,” she says.

Naqvi adds that the project aligns with community-centric policing: “It dispels the notion that police stations are distant and unwelcoming. Instead, it promotes the idea of a public-centred approach.”

The collaboration between the police and the proprietor of Third Culture Coffee was not without its share of challenges. To quote Khan, “When we approached other restaurant owners to join us, most said no. They thought it was too risky. I tried persuading a friend by joking that I’d make a fake version of his pizza brand if he didn’t join!”

Their concerns were justified. The police station has a high outer wall which hides the café’s lush green lawn and trees and the entire ambience from the passersby. Despite such shortcomings and early scepticism, the project has been a hit. In just a few months, the café has already hosted fundraisers, student concerts and community events.

“When people are here, they like to take a round of the police station. Some check out the lockup as well. The police have accepted the change,” Khan says.

Some police officials occasionally stop by for coffee. They are offered a 25 percent discount. A 40 percent discount is available to the families of martyred officials.

The success of the project is expected to lead to more police stations replicating it. Khan reveals, “Punjab Police have a lot of prime real estate. Collaborations like this can help generate revenue for welfare programmes and their own upkeep.”

He cites the example of the Pakistan Air Force which has turned excess land into commercial spaces to support their welfare fund.

Ahsan Malik is a media veteran interested in politics, consumer rights and entrepreneurship