Islamabad police launch inquiry after harassment complaint by female cops

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad police have launched an inquiry after an anonymous complaint has surfaced from 10 female police constables performing duty at Islamabad’s Red Zone Security Division, alleging that they were being subjected to harassment by a male deputy constable and his henchmen.

The complaint, received by Islamabad Police’s Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Security Division, said that the female officials have faced repeated harassment since Aamir Bashir, a constable performing duty as Naib Moharir, was assigned to the Red Zone Command (RZC).

The complaint described ongoing intimidation and harassment allegedly by Aamir Bashir under the pretense of duty assignments.

According to the letter, Bashir allegedly forces the female constables to handle tasks beyond their duties, including cleaning restrooms, and uses manipulative tactics, especially against those who resist his demands.

Further, the complaint said, two male officials, Moen Khan (C/318) and Hamid Khan (C3955), said to be supporters of Bashir, often exert additional pressure on the female constables and ask them to spend standby hours in the office under Bashir’s supervision.

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“Respected sir, we, the female officials, have already reported these issues to our head constable, Imtiaz Ahmed, and the higher authorities in the Security Division, highlighting our concerns about work conditions and mistreatment. However, instead of support, we were reprimanded, which has left us hesitant to reveal our identities due to fear of personal and professional reputational damage. We request that the accused officers’ mobile phones be seized and probed for a forensic analysis as this would reveal all evidence of harassment and blackmail,” the letter said.

“Through this request, we earnestly appeal for legal action against the accused and seek the immediate replacement of these individuals with a female head constable for the 10 of us. Such a change would prevent further issues of this nature. Should our concerns continue to be ignored, we may escalate the matter to higher authorities, risking potential embarrassment to the department,” the letter said.

When contacted, Islamabad Police spokesperson Taqi Jawad confirmed receiving the anonymous complaint and launching an inquiry.

He said that although the female officials interviewed denied connection to the complaint, the sensitivity of the situation involving females has prompted an official investigation.

He said that Islamabad police has implemented a zero-tolerance policy on harassment. He said Aamir Bashir has been suspended until the inquiry is complete.

He said that, a female head constable has been temporarily assigned to the post. “If the allegations are substantiated, the department will carry out disciplinary and legal actions against those involved,” the spokesperson said.