In a major step toward improving public safety and access to justice for women and vulnerable groups, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police have unveiled Pakistan’s first fully functional Online Women Police Station. This digital initiative is aimed at providing immediate, accessible, and dignified protection for women, children, and other vulnerable segments of society, with services available 24/7 via a single helpline — 1815.
According to an ICT Police spokesperson, the virtual station is designed to respond to cases involving domestic violence, gender-based crimes, harassment, and other threats to women and children. Women can use the dedicated 1815 helpline to report complaints, request legal guidance, or receive urgent assistance — all without the need to physically visit a police station.
Inspector General (IG) Islamabad Police, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, stated that the new service provides features such as video calling and online chat support. These digital tools enable the seamless registration of First Information Reports (FIRs), which are now delivered directly to a complainant’s doorstep, removing a key barrier for victims hesitant to approach traditional law enforcement offices.
“The core objective of this initiative is to ensure no victim is left unheard,” said IG Rizvi. “We aim to deliver rapid, respectful, and tech-enabled responses to gender-based violence and abuse.”
To ensure rapid response, the Online Women Police Station is supported by a dedicated First Responder Unit that reaches the location of a complainant within five to seven minutes. When immediate resolution is not feasible, the case is escalated to female investigation officers for further action.
Significantly, the 1815 helpline is entirely staffed by trained female call handlers, responders, and investigators, creating a safer and more empathetic environment for women seeking help. Further enhancing the system’s efficiency, emergency calls made to the general 15 police helpline are now automatically redirected to 1815 using artificial intelligence, ensuring no distress call goes unnoticed or unanswered.
IG Rizvi also shared that this online service is integrated with the AI-powered “Police Station-on-Wheels” program. This mobile unit can be dispatched to support field operations whenever required, offering on-ground assistance in coordination with the Online Women Police Station team.
This pioneering move by Islamabad Police sets a new precedent for tech-enabled law enforcement in Pakistan. With digital infrastructure, real-time support, and an all-women operations team, the Online Women Police Station is a landmark initiative in the country’s efforts to combat gender-based violence and expand access to justice.
