The Punjab police are the largest police force in Pakistan, numbering over 170,000 officers. Funding and resources, to include training, for police services remain low. The U.S. Government, through the RSO and other partners, has worked to increase training opportunities for the police. However, internal resistance has hindered these efforts from coming to fruition and overall police services in Pakistan continue to remain well below the professional standards of the United States. This situation has been exacerbated by the directive from the Chief Minister of the Punjab Province restricting Punjabi government offices or personnel from accepting aid from the U.S. government.
Corruption in Pakistan is widespread, particularly in the government and lower levels of police forces. Transparency International, a non-governmental organization that monitors and publicizes political corruption in international development, consistently rates Pakistan with a poor ranking. Transparency International publishes an annual Corruption Perceptions Index; a comparative listing of corruption worldwide's Corruption Perceptions Index on a 0 (highly corrupt) to 10 (very clean). In 2011, Pakistan was given a score of 2.5.
According to Transparency International, the major cause for corruption in this sector was due to the lack of accountability and low salaries. Payment of bribes in order to escape and avoid charges was also commonplace; 31% of 4,224 respondents reported paying bribes to the police. Pakistan also ranked 134 on the index with 42 countries ranked lower.
Police response times can range anywhere from 15-30 minutes. If there is a language barrier, U.S. citizens can contact American Citizen Services at the Consulate General Lahore via the main switchboard at 92-42-3603-4000. U.S. citizens should also use this number should they be arrested, detained or have any interaction with the police for which they require assistance.
If traveling anywhere in Pakistan and there is a need to contact the police, the local police emergency number throughout Pakistan is 15. American Citizen Services at the U.S. Embassy Islamabad’s may be contacted at anytime. The Embassy’s main line (92-51) 208-0000 may be used if you are arrested or have any interaction with the police which may require assistance.
Home 
Tue Feb 24, 2015 6:00 am by Shaheer
