Manisha Ropeta: First Hindu woman in Pakistan to become a DSP

She is not just among the few female officers in a higher position of authority in her province, but also the first Hindu woman in Pakistan to become a deputy superintendent of police.

26-year-old Manisha Ropeta is in the limelight for two reasons: she is in a 'manly' profession in Pakistan's male-dominated culture, and she is the first woman from the minority community to get to that level in the police force.

“From childhood I and my sisters have seen the same old system of patriarchy where girls are told if they want to get educated and work it can only be as teachers or doctors,” PTI quotes Ropeta as saying.


Ropeta belongs to a middle class family from Jacobabad in Sindh province. Hers is a family of doctors - her three sisters are doctors and the youngest brother is also studying medicine. Ropeta failed by one mark to make it through the medical entrance exam.

After coming at 16th position in the Sindh Public Services Commission examinations, Ropeta chose a police job. It was her urge to challenge the prevailing sentiment, that girls from 'good families' shouldn't have anything to do with the police, which made her do that.

The young DSP is now in training, and though there would be problems getting on field training in a place like hers, she is getting a lot of support and respect from her male colleagues.

Ropeta feels the job of a senior police officer empowers women. “I want to lead a feminisation drive and encourage gender equality in the police force," she says.