ASP Shehrbano becomes first Pakistani woman officer selected for Asia 21 fellowship

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shehrbano Naqvi has been selected for the prestigious Asia Society 21 Next Generation Fellowship, becoming the first female police officer in Pakistan's history to achieve this honour.

According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, ASP Naqvi has been chosen for the Class of 2025 in recognition of her efforts to protect vulnerable groups in society and her commitment to systemic change.

Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar congratulated the officer, calling it a matter of pride for the country. “It is a matter of pride that the performance of Punjab Police officers is being recognised at the international level,” he said in a statement.

The Asia 21 Next Generation Fellowship is scheduled to take place from December 5 to 7, 2025, in the Philippines, where 30 outstanding individuals from 27 countries will be recognised.

ASP Naqvi rose to prominence in 2023 for her valiant act of saving a woman from a violent mob in Lahore’s Achhra Market — an episode that brought her widespread recognition as a symbol of bravery in the police force.

ASP Naqvi’s achievement follows a series of international honours earned by Pakistani women police officers in recent years.

In March 2025, police officer Anum Khan Muhammad Sher of Sargodha City Police Station won the Excellence in Criminal Investigation Award at the World Police Summit in Dubai for leading and solving two high-profile murder cases.

In October 2024, Rawalpindi Chief Traffic Officer SP Beenish Fatima received the IACP 40 Under 40 Award by the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Boston, recognising her leadership and service to law enforcement.