Professional Career
Dr Summaiya Syed Tariq has served as Police Surgeon Karachi since June 2022, where she functions as the administrative and technical head of medico-legal services in Karachi. Her responsibilities include handling and providing professional medico-legal opinions in cases involving homicide, suicide, accidents, physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, vitriolage, poisoning and intoxication.
She is also a specialist in the Clinical Management of Rape (CMR) and has contributed to initiatives aimed at improving the institutional response to gender-based violence.
Previously, she served as Additional Police Surgeon Karachi from September 2019 to November 2022. Her work has combined forensic practice, research, training and medico-legal reform.
Research and Forensic Work
Dr Summaiya has been associated with research projects covering a broad range of medico-legal and forensic subjects, including self-harm, completed suicides, psychological assessment, psychological autopsies, para-suicides, domestic violence, child abuse, gender-based violence, traumatic dental injuries and age assessment of minors.
Her professional interests also include the rehabilitation and protection of survivors of violence and improving coordination between medical, investigative and judicial institutions.
She has served as a member of the Parliamentary Committee on the Anti-Rape (Investigation & Trial) Act 2021 and has participated in multi-sectoral technical working groups of the Chief Secretary, Sindh, dealing with medico-legal reforms, performance management, Anti-Rape Crisis Cells, integration of investigative and prosecution services with medico-legal services, and safe houses and shelter homes for affected persons.
Training and Capacity Building
An experienced master trainer, Dr Summaiya has worked on capacity building for professionals dealing with gender-based violence, gender sensitisation and survivor-centred services. She has also worked as a consultant, researcher, freelancer, mentor and counsellor.
She has served as visiting faculty at the Sindh Judicial Academy and LCMD, sharing her expertise in forensic medicine, medico-legal practice and gender-based violence with legal and medical professionals.
Her professional roles have also included membership of Special Medical Boards and Exhumation Boards.
International Professional Experience
Dr Summaiya has undertaken international professional work as a technical expert and external assessor. In 2024, she worked with EIAC UAE as an external assessor for services and requirements at the Women & Child Unit of RAK Forensics in the United Arab Emirates.
Her international exposure has further contributed to her understanding of forensic services, institutional standards and multidisciplinary responses to violence against women and children.
Education
Dr Summaiya earned her MBBS from Dow Medical College, University of Karachi, completing her medical education between 1991 and 1996.
She subsequently obtained a Diploma in Medical Jurisprudence, Medicolegal/Forensics and Toxicology from Dow University of Health Sciences, completed between 2006 and 2008.
She also completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Biomedical Ethics from the Center of Biomedical Ethics & Culture at SIUT in 2025. In 2026, she undertook studies in Health Professional Education (CHPE) at Jinnah Sindh Medical University.
She has additionally undertaken professional training in biomedical research and related areas.
Advocate for Survivor-Centred Responses
Dr Summaiya Syed Tariq has emerged as an important professional voice in efforts to improve institutional responses to violence against women and girls. Her work focuses on moving beyond isolated interventions towards coordinated systems involving health, justice, policing, social services and governance.
She has contributed to discussions surrounding national guidelines and protocols designed to support survivors of sexual violence. Her professional perspective has also featured in initiatives promoting survivor-centred and coordinated institutional responses.
Her participation in the launch of UN Women’s “Beyond Training: Changing the Institutional Response to Violence Against Women and Girls” reflects her engagement with efforts to strengthen institutional mechanisms for addressing violence against women and girls.
Professional Contribution
Through her work as a police surgeon, forensic practitioner, researcher, trainer and medico-legal reform advocate, Dr Summaiya Syed Tariq has contributed to the development of more coordinated and professionally informed medico-legal services in Sindh.
Her career represents the intersection of medicine, forensic science, law, ethics, research and gender-based violence response, with particular emphasis on improving the systems through which survivors and affected families interact with healthcare, law-enforcement and justice institutions.
Disclaimer
This profile has been prepared from the professional information and material available for publication. It is intended for general informational and biographical purposes and does not constitute an official government biography, medical endorsement or independent verification of every designation, qualification, affiliation or professional claim. Professional positions and affiliations may change over time.
