Pakistan's women police fight criminals, militants and scorn
Female police operating in a stronghold of the Taliban in Pakistan are fighting a grueling war for change
Pakistani Police Inspector Gillani drives past women outside a police station in Abbottabad
Pakistani Police Inspector Shazadi Gillani (L) drives past women outside a police station in Abbottabad September 18, 2013. When Gillani, the highest ranking female police officer in Pakistan's most conservative province, wanted to join the force she had to defy her father, forego marriage and pay for her own basic training. During the next 19 years, Gillani and her faithful sidekick Rizwana Zafar, brought up as a boy after becoming her frustrated father's ninth daughter, have battled bandits, earthquakes and militants. Picture taken September 18, 2013. To match PAKISTAN-WOMEN/POLICE REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra (PAKISTAN - Tags: CIVIL UNREST CRIME LAW POLITICS)
Pakistani Police Inspector Shazadi Gillani removes her shoes at her house in Abbottabad
Pakistani Police Inspector Shazadi Gillani removes her shoes at her house in Abbottabad September 18, 2013. When Gillani, the highest ranking female police officer in Pakistan's most conservative province, wanted to join the force she had to defy her father, forego marriage and pay for her own basic training. During the next 19 years, Gillani and her faithful sidekick Rizwana Zafar, brought up as a boy after becoming her frustrated father's ninth daughter, have battled bandits, earthquakes and militants. Picture taken September 18, 2013. To match PAKISTAN-WOMEN/POLICE REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra (PAKISTAN - Tags: CIVIL UNREST CRIME LAW POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Pakistani Police Inspector Gillani smiles while a member of her team tries to open the tray of a CD drive on a computer at a police station in Abbottabad
Pakistani Police Inspector Shazadi Gillani (L) smiles while a member of her team tries to open the tray of a CD drive on a computer at a police station in Abbottabad September 18, 2013. When Gillani, the highest ranking female police officer in Pakistan's most conservative province, wanted to join the force she had to defy her father, forego marriage and pay for her own basic training. During the next 19 years, Gillani and her faithful sidekick Rizwana Zafar, brought up as a boy after becoming her frustrated father's ninth daughter, have battled bandits, earthquakes and militants. Picture taken September 18, 2013. To match PAKISTAN-WOMEN/POLICE REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra (PAKISTAN - Tags: CIVIL UNREST CRIME LAW POLITICS)
Pakistani Police Inspector Gillani talks to a member of her team at a police station in Abbottabad
Pakistani Police Inspector Shazadi Gillani (C) talks to a member of her team at a police station in Abbottabad September 18, 2013. When Gillani, the highest ranking female police officer in Pakistan's most conservative province, wanted to join the force she had to defy her father, forego marriage and pay for her own basic training. During the next 19 years, Gillani and her faithful sidekick Rizwana Zafar, brought up as a boy after becoming her frustrated father's ninth daughter, have battled bandits, earthquakes and militants. Picture taken September 18, 2013. To match PAKISTAN-WOMEN/POLICE REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra (PAKISTAN - Tags: CIVIL UNREST CRIME LAW POLITICS)
Pakistani Police Inspector Gillani interrogates an accused kidnapper at a police station in Abbottabad
Pakistani Police Inspector Shazadi Gillani (C) interrogates an accused kidnapper at a police station in Abbottabad September 18, 2013. When Gillani, the highest ranking female police officer in Pakistan's most conservative province, wanted to join the force she had to defy her father, forego marriage and pay for her own basic training. During the next 19 years, Gillani and her faithful sidekick Rizwana Zafar, brought up as a boy after becoming her frustrated father's ninth daughter, have battled bandits, earthquakes and militants. Picture taken September 18, 2013. To match PAKISTAN-WOMEN/POLICE REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra (PAKISTAN - Tags: CIVIL UNREST CRIME LAW POLITICS)
Pakistani Police Inspector Gillani shows a photo of herself wearing a burqa, at her house in Abbottabad
Pakistani Police Inspector Shazadi Gillani shows a photo of herself wearing a burqa, at her house in Abbottabad September 18, 2013. When Gillani, the highest ranking female police officer in Pakistan's most conservative province, wanted to join the force she had to defy her father, forego marriage and pay for her own basic training. During the next 19 years, Gillani and her faithful sidekick Rizwana Zafar, brought up as a boy after becoming her frustrated father's ninth daughter, have battled bandits, earthquakes and militants. Picture taken September 18, 2013. To match PAKISTAN-WOMEN/POLICE REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra (PAKISTAN - Tags: CIVIL UNREST CRIME LAW POLITICS)
Pakistani Police Inspector Gillani speaks during an interview with Reuters at a police station in Abbottabad
Pakistani Police Inspector Shazadi Gillani speaks during an interview with Reuters at a police station in Abbottabad September 18, 2013. When Gillani, the highest ranking female police officer in Pakistan's most conservative province, wanted to join the force she had to defy her father, forego marriage and pay for her own basic training. During the next 19 years, Gillani and her faithful sidekick Rizwana Zafar, brought up as a boy after becoming her frustrated father's ninth daughter, have battled bandits, earthquakes and militants. Picture taken September 18, 2013. To match PAKISTAN-WOMEN/POLICE REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra (PAKISTAN - Tags: CIVIL UNREST CRIME LAW POLITICS)
Pakistani Police Inspector Gillani is pictured during an interview with Reuters at a police station in Abbottabad
Pakistani Police Inspector Shazadi Gillani is pictured during an interview with Reuters at a police station in Abbottabad September 18, 2013. When Gillani, the highest ranking female police officer in Pakistan's most conservative province, wanted to join the force she had to defy her father, forego marriage and pay for her own basic training. During the next 19 years, Gillani and her faithful sidekick Rizwana Zafar, brought up as a boy after becoming her frustrated father's ninth daughter, have battled bandits, earthquakes and militants. Picture taken September 18, 2013. To match PAKISTAN-WOMEN/POLICE REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra (PAKISTAN - Tags: CIVIL UNREST CRIME LAW POLITICS)
Pakistani Police Head Constable Zafar buttons up the vest of Police Inspector Gillani during an interview with Reuters at a police station in Abbottabad
Pakistani Police Head Constable Rizwana Zafar (L) buttons up the vest of Police Inspector Shazadi Gillani during an interview with Reuters at a police station in Abbottabad September 18, 2013. When Gillani, the highest ranking female police officer in Pakistan's most conservative province, wanted to join the force she had to defy her father, forego marriage and pay for her own basic training. During the next 19 years, Gillani and her faithful sidekick Zafar, brought up as a boy after becoming her frustrated father's ninth daughter, have battled bandits, earthquakes and militants. Picture taken September 18, 2013. To match PAKISTAN-WOMEN/POLICE REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra (PAKISTAN - Tags: CIVIL UNREST CRIME LAW POLITICS)