Police form unit to manage crowd during protests

KARACHI:

A women-only Crowd Management Unit (CMU) has been formed by the Sindh police to ensure public safety, with a focus on protecting women and children, during protests and sit-ins in the metropolitan city.

While speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) AIG Imran Yaqoob Minhas spoke about the need for a specialised women police force, given the frequent participation of women and children in protests alongside men.

The ceremony was attended by senior police and Rangers officials, along with prominent figures from various sectors. This unit will be deployed in Red Zones during women-led demonstrations to ensure professional crowd management.

Rapid Response Force DIG Ghulam Azfar Mahesar stated that 50 women officers, along with other personnel, have undergone a month-long specialised training program which included modern crowd control techniques and the effective use of advanced equipment.

AIG Minhas also spoke about the importance of the RRF, which was formed in 2009 and has since evolved into a key law enforcement unit. With the expansion of its capabilities, the CMU aims to manage crowds effectively while safeguarding citizens' fundamental rights.