A special ladies police force tasked with protecting women on public transport, issued challans to multiple buses in Karachi for allowing male passengers to ride in female-only compartments on Tuesday. Led by Station House Officer Syeda Ghazala, the task force conducted snap checking and issued challans on the spot. The force also strictly warned men against sitting in ladies compartments. The force searched buses in Saddar on the Lucky Star route, spoke to female passengers regarding any issues they were facing and registered their complaints. Speaking to media, SHO Syeda Ghazala said, “DIG South Azad Khan and SP South Tauqeer Naeem have signed multiple projects for women empowerment, one of which is teaching self-defence to women at schools and colleges and surprise snap-checking on buses was a part of them. Normally, bus conductors in a bid to earn money and maximise the number of passengers, allow men to sit in ladies compartments which makes it difficult for women. The surprise snap checking can be carried out in any area and at any time.” SHO Ghazala requested the government to increase the number of buses so they’re enough to accommodate everyone and men aren’t forced to travel in ladies compartments. A rehearsal was also carried out for new recruits in the ladies police task force. Published in Daily Times, March 7th 2018.