Law enforcement in Pakistan

Provincial and territorial police

The four provinces of Pakistan (Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan) each have their own police force, organised to suit the challenges of that locality, with their own specialised and elite units. Each police force has a Commissioner of Police appointed as Inspector-General who is a senior officer from the Police Service of Pakistan. Some provincial police forces are routinely supported by federal paramilitary units operating in that area. All provincial police forces contain Counter Terrorism Department and Special Branch.

The traditional uniform of Pakistani provincial police officers is a black shirt with tan trousers. In 2017, police in Punjab transitioned to an olive green uniform, but reverted to the traditional uniform in 2019. In 2020, all provinces decided to adopt the uniform worn in Islamabad - light blue or white shirts with dark blue trousers.

Balochistan

• The Balochistan Police used to operate in only 7 districts of Balochistan province but now operate in all districts.
• The Balochistan Constabulary is a reserve police unit of the Balochistan Police.
• The Balochistan Levies is a paramilitary police force operating in 23 of Balochistan's 30 districts. It is now merged into the Balochistan police.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

• The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police is the main civilian police force in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
• The Reserve Frontier Police acts as the reserve unit of the KP Police.
• The Special Combat Unit is for counter-terrorism operations.
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Levies (11,739 personnel) are raised by provincial or local governments to provide additional security in their areas. They include:
  • Dir Levies
  • Malakand Levies
• The Levies and the Khasadar Forces have been absorbed into the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police or pensioned off.

Punjab

• The Punjab Police operates in the Punjab province.
  • Crime Control Department
  • The Dolphin Force deals with street crime.
  • The Elite Police performs counter-terrorism operations.
  • The Police Qaumi Razakars are a support force for the Punjab Police in their duties.
  • Punjab Constabulary
• Punjab Highway Patrol
• Punjab Prisons manage 43 prisons.
• PERA Force enforces laws related to price control, hoarding, encroachments etc.

Sindh

• The Sindh Police operates in the Sindh province.
• The Special Security Unit is a specialized counterterrorism and security unit, based in Karachi, with operational jurisdiction extending throughout Sindh. The SSU was established in 2010 in response to increased rates of terrorism.

Territories

Pakistan's capital has its own Islamabad Police and subordinate units such as Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP). The Azad Kashmir Police operates in the semi-autonomous Azad Kashmir. The Gilgit-Baltistan Police operates in the semi-autonomous Gilgit-Baltistan region.

Federal

Police Service of Pakistan (PSP)

The Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) replaced the Indian Imperial Police in 1948, a year after Pakistan became independent from the British Raj. The service commands and provides leadership to federal, provincial, and territorial police forces. Its officers are assigned to different districts, provinces and stations across Pakistan. Many of the country's highest-profile law enforcement posts are held by PSP officers, including Inspectors General of provinces, Director Generals of the Intelligence Bureau and Federal Investigation Agency, and superintendents of the Federal Constabulary and National Highways and Motorway Police. Officers are recruited through an extremely competitive examination held once a year by the Federal Public Service Commission. Those selected then must undergo a six month training programme known as CTP at the Civil Services Academy (CSA) in Lahore, and a further 18 months of specialised training occurs at the National Police Academy Islamabad.

Primarily operated through the four provincial governments and the Islamabad Capital Territory, each police service has a jurisdiction extending only within the relevant province or territory.

The law enforcement agencies are also involved in providing first response to emergencies and other threats to public safety as well as protecting the infrastructure and maintaining order in the country. Apart from investigating crime scenes, criminal acts, suspected unlawful activities, and detention of suspected criminals pending judicial action, the law enforcement agencies (primarily police) also perform duties that include the service and enforcement of warrants, writs, and other orders of the courts.

Designations of PSP officers