Woman police officer helps widow get her land back after 13 years

MANSEHRA: A woman police officer has helped a widow reclaim her over one kanal land from her in-laws after a 13-year legal battle, in a rare case of female empowerment in a male dominated society.

Naheed Bibi, from the Mansehra district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, had been fighting for her inheritance rights since her husband died in 2010, but her efforts were thwarted by her in-laws who occupied the land.

She approached various courts, including the Supreme Court for justice, but failed to get justice until she met Nayab Ramazan, an assistant superintendent of police (ASP) in Mansehra.

Ramazan verified Bibi’s documents and assured her that she would help her recover her land, which was located within the jurisdiction of Shinkiari police station.

Despite facing threats and pressure from the land mafia and local elders, Ramazan supported Bibi throughout the process and ensured that her rights were upheld.

“I wore my uniform with the intent to support oppressed women. I believe that when women like us join the police force, no one will dare to victimise them,” Ramazan told Urdu News.

Bibi said she was grateful to Ramazan for her dedication and courage. “She is like a sister to me. She gave me shelter and protection when I had nowhere to go. She restored my dignity and honour,” Bibi said.

Five dead over land dispute in Kurram

According to Rukhsanda Naz, a regional magistrate in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, women across the province face numerous challenges concerning inheritance, especially in the Malakand and Hazara regions where land records are unreliable.

Naz said that from 2019 until now, around 1,349 complaints regarding property and inheritance matters were submitted to her office. Of these, 82 cases were referred to the court, 20 cases were resolved through negotiations, while 905 cases remain unresolved.

She said that the regional magistrate does not resolve land disputes directly but forwards them to the relevant deputy commissioner’s office, which then involves the police and other authorities.

She noted that over time, women have become more vocal about asserting their rights.

“In the past, women were hesitant to file such complaints, but now they are more aware and confident,” she said.