Tenacity pays off: Don’t stop believing, says Swat’s first female FC officer

Hina Munawar sings praises of the district’s culture and traditions

PESHAWAR: When Taliban militants took over Swat around 12 years ago, police and Frontier Constabulary (FC) officers fought tooth and nail to push them out. Many gave their lives in the line of duty and several others even fell captive to insurgents in the heat of battle. Nevertheless, through dogged determination and tireless efforts, the security officials ultimately prevailed and wrested back control of the scenic district.

There were some personnel, however, who under pressure, settled personal terms with the Taliban and vowed to quit their jobs and not take up arms against the militant outfit again. But while their decision created a temporary gap in the region’s law enforcement apparatus, it cleared the space for new blood who could work with renewed zeal and discipline in their stead.

Hina Munawar is just one such officer who is part of a new cohort of Police Service of Pakistan working in the region. What sets her apart from her colleagues, though, is that she is the first woman to serve as a district officer for the FC (DOFC) in Swat.

“I love this uniform. I always have,” she told The Express Tribune while explaining the reason she chose the police after clearing the Central Superior Services (CSS) exam. “I never looked back once I started on this path. I focused on my dream to become a police officer all the time, and thanks to my family’s unconditional support, I finally made it.”

IG Frontier Corps vows to protect citizens

Hina, who is also a mother of a three-year-old daughter and hails from Faisalabad, said she was initially posted in Punjab. “But since it is mandatory for PSP officers to serve a year as part of the FC, I was recently posted as the commanding officer of the constabulary in Swat district.”

“It is an honour and a privilege leading a force that offered countless sacrifices to safeguard the motherland in the war against terror,” she added while elaborating her feelings on the posting. “The FC is a force where you can find people from one tribe in the same platoon. It gives you an insight into each tribe’s culture and customs.”

Hina also shared that she has acquired a deep respect for local traditions and culture. “I experience the typical Pashtun culture – the deep respect and sense of acceptance and hospitality you are accorded – coming from Punjab, I find it very unique,” she said. The DOFC added that there was a huge space for female police officers in the force who could deliver better than men if provided a chance.

When asked if she initially feared being posted in Swat, she replied with a resounding no. “As I said, I am proud to be part of a force that challenged the militants and overcame them with the help of our armed forces.”

“There's always a threat since we don’t believe in zero-threat but we know we will not be facing it alone as we are being assisted by the police and the armed forces,” Hina said. “There is always a danger but life and death run parallel and I am not afraid of sacrificing my life.”

Hina, who is the first from her family to join the PSP, urged girls everywhere in the country to never give up on their dreams, no matter how hard achieving them may seem. “Never ever give up, no matter the circumstances. Stay focused, concentrate on your objectives and your dreams will come true one day. Success will be yours,” she said in a piece of advice for all young Pakistanis.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2019.