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Law enforcement in Pakistan (Urdu:پاکستان میں نفاذِ قانون) is one of the three main components of thecriminal justice system ofPakistan, alongside thejudiciary and theprisons.[1]The country has a mix of federal, provincial and territorial police forces with both general and specialised functions, but the senior ranks of all the provincial forces and most of the federal ones are manned by members of the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP). The PSP is one of the most prestigious part of theCentral Superior Services, Pakistan's main civil service organisation.[1][2] Federal law enforcement agencies are generally overseen by theMinistry of Interior of theGovernment of Pakistan, while provincial police forces are overseen by a department of the government of that province.
The fourprovinces of Pakistan (Punjab,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Sindh andBalochistan) 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 aCommissioner of Police appointed asInspector-General who is a senior officer from the Police Service of Pakistan.[3] Some provincial police forces are routinely supported byfederal paramilitary units operating in that area. All provincial police forces containCounter Terrorism Department andSpecial 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.[4] In 2020, all provinces decided to adopt the uniform worn in Islamabad - light blue or white shirts with dark blue trousers.[5]
Pakistan's capital has its ownIslamabad Police and subordinates units such asIslamabad Traffic Police (ITP). TheAzad Kashmir Police operates in the semi-autonomousAzad Kashmir. TheGilgit-Baltistan Police operates in the semi-autonomousGilgit-Baltistan region.
| Police Service of Pakistan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Common name | Pakistan Police |
| Abbreviation | PSP |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1948 |
| Preceding agency | |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | PAK |
| Governing body | Ministry of Interior |
| General nature | |
| Notables | |
| Award |
|
The Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) replaced theIndian Imperial Police in 1948, a year after Pakistan becameindependent from theBritish 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 theIntelligence Bureau andFederal Investigation Agency, and superintendents of theFederal Constabulary andNational Highways and Motorway Police. Officers are recruited through an extremely competitive examination held once a year by theFederal Public Service Commission. Those selected then must undergo a six month training programme known as CTP at theCivil Services Academy (CSA) inLahore, and a further 18 months of specialised training occurs at theNational Police Academy Islamabad.
Primarily operated through thefour provincial governments and theIslamabad Capital Territory,[17] each police service has a jurisdiction extending only within the relevant province or territory.[18][19]
The law enforcement agencies are also involved in providing first response to emergencies and other threats topublic safety as well asprotecting 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.
| Grade | Police Ranks/Provincial Appointments | Secretarial/Federal Appointments |
|---|---|---|
| BPS-17 |
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| BPS-18 |
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| BPS-19 |
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| BPS-20 |
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| BPS-21 |
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| BPS-22 |
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Civil Armed Forces (Pakistan) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Frontier Corps |  | |
| Pakistan Rangers | ||
| Others | ||
