Lahore: More than 48,000 vulnerable and marginalized individuals have received assistance at Punjab Police Tahaffuz Marakaz across the province during the current year, as the police continue to expand protection, rehabilitation and support services for women, children and transgender persons.
According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, a total of 48,114 individuals benefited from Tahaffuz Marakaz, including 23,522 women, 19,223 children and 5,369 transgender persons.
In Lahore alone, 3,554 individuals were provided assistance through the city’s three Tahaffuz Marakaz. The beneficiaries included 2,385 children, 960 women and 209 transgender persons.
The spokesperson said that 39 Tahaffuz Marakaz are currently operational across Punjab, including three in Lahore, where trained staff provide social, legal and psychological support to vulnerable and marginalized individuals on a daily basis.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Abdul Kareem said the Tahaffuz Marakaz have become an important platform for the protection and rehabilitation of transgender persons and other vulnerable sections of society. He noted that dedicated Transgender Victim Support Officers are ensuring priority social and legal assistance to members of the transgender community.
The IGP directed field formations to further accelerate outreach programmes for victims of gender-based crimes, social vulnerability, exploitation and violence. He stressed the need to ensure immediate relief for women, children and transgender persons facing abuse or other forms of victimization.
Abdul Kareem also instructed police officers to strengthen coordination with allied government institutions and welfare organisations to address the challenges faced by underprivileged and vulnerable communities more effectively.