Procedural and Functional Sources of Trust in Police in Pakistan

Abstract Police in Pakistan is one of the least trusted institutions, yet limited research has explored the underlying causes of this distrust. This study examines trust in police in the provinces of Punjab (Lahore) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP; Peshawar) using performance and procedural justice frameworks. Based on survey data collected in 2016 from individuals with direct interactions with the police, the study investigates factors influencing public trust in these provinces, which have adopted distinct policing approaches. The findings show that procedural evaluations, such as satisfaction with investigation time, access to information, and adherence to human rights, are strong predictors of trust in police in both provinces. However, functional evaluations, including the ability to detect crimes, prevent crime, and apprehend criminals, significantly influence trust only in KP. The trust model performs better in KP, where the police benefit from greater administrative autonomy and reduced political interference compared to Punjab. These findings underscore that police reforms, such as depoliticization and administrative autonomy, are essential for improving police performance and fostering public trust.