The Punjab government has prevented several women police officers from attending the 63rd International Association of Women Police (IAWP) Conference in Bali, despite approval from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The officers had been selected by the National Police Bureau (NPB), operating under the Ministry of Interior, to represent Pakistan at the international conference. Officials said the selection process had received approval from the prime minister.
Punjab Officers Selected for Bali Conference
The US International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) program was expected to provide financial assistance for the selected officers to attend the conference.
However, the Punjab government declined to release its women police officers, citing their current official duty assignments.
Punjab Police has also contacted the Ministry of Interior regarding the decision.
The Punjab officers selected to attend the conference included:
- SSP Amara Athar
- SP Zainab Ayub
- SP Beenish Fatima
- SP Ayesha Butt
SP Kainat Azhar from Islamabad Police and SP Resham Jahangir from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police were also selected for the event.
Permission had additionally been sought for SP Shehrbano Naqvi to participate in the conference.
International Association of Women Police Conference
The International Association of Women Police conference brings together female law enforcement officers and policing professionals from different countries to discuss policing, leadership, professional development and issues affecting women in law enforcement.
The participation of Pakistani police officers was expected to provide an opportunity to exchange experiences and learn from international policing practices.
The decision by Punjab authorities to withhold permission for the selected officers has raised questions about the province’s participation in the international event, particularly after federal-level approval had reportedly been secured.
