By: Muneeb Ahmed
Lahore is not policed—it is managed. A city of over 13 million people, marked by constant activity and mass gatherings, requires a security approach that goes well beyond routine law enforcement. It demands foresight, discipline, and an ability to respond rapidly without losing public trust. Since April 2024, the Lahore Police Operations Wing has demonstrated visible progress in addressing this challenge, gradually redefining how a megacity can be policed in Pakistan.
Over the past year, the Operations Wing has operated under sustained pressure, managing more than 1,400 sensitive law and order situations. These included 693 protest demonstrations and 587 rallies, many of them politically charged and highly volatile. In such an environment, even minor miscalculations can escalate into widespread disorder. Yet, through advance planning, intelligence assessment, and controlled deployment, Lahore Police managed to contain these events while allowing the city’s economic and social life to continue with minimal disruption. This balance between firmness and restraint has been critical in maintaining stability in a city that often sits at the center of national political activity.
Beyond protests and rallies, the Operations Wing was responsible for security at 11,849 high-profile events. These ranged from movements of the president and prime minister to visits by foreign diplomats and international delegations, as well as mega sporting events such as international cricket series. Each event required layered security planning, traffic control, intelligence clearance, and rapid-response readiness. The absence of major security lapses during these engagements reflects a growing institutional capacity to manage complex operations under intense scrutiny.
One of the significant outcomes of this operational focus has been a sharp decline in crime. Since April 2024, reported crime in Lahore has dropped by an estimated 80 percent. This reduction indicates a strategic shift from reactive policing to proactive, intelligence-led operations. Artificial intelligence–based crime prediction software has enabled police formations to identify potential hotspots before crimes occur, allowing resources to be deployed proactively. The establishment of a dedicated Homicide Prevention Unit has strengthened investigative focus on violent crime, while the threefold expansion of the Dolphin Squad and Police Response Unit has increased mobility, visibility, and deterrence across the city.
These improvements have translated into measurable gains in public safety and international perception. According to the 2025 Mid-Year Index, Lahore now ranks safer than 255 cities worldwide. While rankings alone do not define security, they do reflect broader trends in crime control and urban safety. For a city long associated with congestion and security challenges, this shift signals a notable change in trajectory.
Public interaction with the police has also undergone a marked transformation. Response time to emergency complaints, once a major source of public frustration, has been reduced from nearly one and a half hours to just 8.3 minutes. This improvement has reshaped citizen expectations and confidence. Faster response not only increases the likelihood of intercepting offenders but also reinforces the perception of the police as an accessible and reliable institution, particularly during emergencies.
On the enforcement side, the Operations Wing has pursued organized and habitual crime with sustained intensity. Intelligence-based operations led to the dismantling of 3,484 dangerous gangs involved in street crime, robberies, and violent offenses. More than 21,000 proclaimed offenders were arrested, many of whom had remained at large for years. These operations were supported by significant recoveries, including over 10,000 illegal weapons and approximately 9,900 kilograms of narcotics. Such seizures have disrupted criminal supply chains and reduced the tools of violence available on the streets.
At the same time, Lahore Police has expanded its role beyond traditional enforcement, increasingly positioning itself as a public service institution. Police Service Centers, operational since 2018, have now facilitated more than 8.2 million citizens by offering services such as character certificates, licensing, and documentation under one roof. This approach has reduced procedural delays and limited public exposure to bureaucratic hurdles, contributing to greater transparency and convenience.
Protection-focused initiatives have also gained prominence. Police Protection Centers have provided assistance to over 139,000 vulnerable individuals, including transgender persons and homeless children, embedding social sensitivity into policing practices. Minority communities have been supported through Misaq (Covenant) Centers, where issues affecting more than 46,000 individuals have been resolved through dialogue, mediation, and legal facilitation, helping prevent disputes from escalating into security concerns.
In a departure from conventional priorities, the Police Animal Rescue Center treated and rehabilitated over 2,270 animals and registered 26 FIRs related to animal cruelty. While seemingly peripheral, such initiatives reinforce a broader message of zero tolerance for violence and contribute to a culture of lawfulness across society.
Internally, attention to the welfare of police personnel has been recognized as essential for sustained performance. Daycare centers for the children of police officials have eased work-life pressures in a demanding profession. Financial assistance totaling PKR 33.9 million was disbursed to 952 deserving personnel, strengthening morale and institutional cohesion within the force.
Taken together, these developments suggest a gradual but meaningful recalibration of urban policing in Lahore. By combining technology, intelligence, rapid response, firm enforcement, and social responsibility, the Lahore Police Operations Wing has demonstrated that policing a megacity requires more than numbers on the street. It requires adaptability, public engagement, and institutional reform. While challenges remain, the recent trajectory indicates that Lahore is moving toward a more secure and manageable urban future, shaped by a policing model increasingly aligned with the realities of a modern megacity. (The writer is Lahore based public policy analyst who can be reached at muneebahmed2225@gmail.com)
