Islamabad, 12 June 2025: SHO in Islamabad has become a headline of transformation in Pakistan’s policing history as a woman officer has been appointed to lead a male police station in the federal capital marking a breakthrough moment for gender inclusion in law enforcement.
Sub-Inspector Misbah Shehbaz has taken charge of the Phulgran Police Station, becoming the first female Station House Officer (SHO) assigned to a male-majority precinct in Islamabad. The development has been viewed as a landmark in the ongoing efforts to foster equal representation within the police force.
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The posting is part of a broader internal overhaul championed by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Muhammad Jawad Tariq, who has initiated reforms to dismantle institutional barriers and promote merit-based appointments.
As part of this reshuffle, several other officers have also been reassigned: Alamgir Khan (Koral), Zahid Shah (Loi Bher), Shahnawaz (Shams Colony), Mansabdar (Nilore), and Basreen Akhtar, who now heads the Women Police Station.
The latest reassignments come following the exit of previous station heads, including Rizwan Gondal, Abdul Hameed, Khalid Mehmood, and Muhammad Saleem. Officials have indicated the move aims to improve operational efficiency and deepen public trust in community policing.
SHO in Islamabad, according to DIG Tariq, symbolizes the department’s shift toward performance-driven appointments while simultaneously providing leadership roles to female officers many of whom have historically been restricted to support or administrative functions.
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The appointment of Sub-Inspector Shehbaz is being praised by advocates as a step toward reshaping perceptions around women’s roles in traditionally male-dominated institutions. Her leadership at Phulgran is expected to inspire similar changes across other districts.
In the broader context of gender equality in public service, SHO in Islamabad has become a powerful indicator of institutional change suggesting that inclusive reforms are no longer aspirational but are gradually becoming a practical reality.
