Important Steps Taken by The Punjab Safe Cities Authority in 2024 on the Special Instructions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif

Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station named as Meri Awaz, Maryam Nawaz on April 22, 2024.

IT graduate Women Police Communication Officers have been deployed at this station, allowing women to report emergencies by dialing 15 and pressing 2. This initiative eliminates the need for women to visit police stations physically, ensuring privacy, confidentiality, and security while addressing their concerns.

The Virtual Center for Child Safety established last year under the Chief Minister’s directives, has played a key role in reuniting missing children and elderly individuals with their families. Modeled after the Virtual Women Police Station, this center can be reached in emergencies by dialing 15 and pressing 3.

To protect and uphold the rights of minorities, the Punjab Safe Cities Authority has launched Meesaq, the Virtual Center for Minorities. This center ensures the timely resolution of issues faced by minority communities.

Under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision of a Safe Punjab, Smart Safe City projects have been launched across the province. In the first phase, projects have been successfully completed in Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Gujrat, Jhelum, Okara, Murree, and Attock. The second phase, set to be completed by 2025, includes Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Multan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Sahiwal, Jhang, Hasan Abdal, D.G. Khan, and Mianwali. These smart cities will be monitored using AI-powered surveillance cameras and environment sensors to track air quality in 18 cities. The primary objective is to enhance security and reduce crime rates across Punjab.

To further facilitate citizens, Punjab Safe Cities Authority has launched the CM Maryam Nawaz Free Wi-Fi Service. In the first phase, 100 locations in Lahore have been equipped free Wi-Fi with expansion planned for Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana, and other districts of Punjab. Each hotspot covers a 300-feet radius and allows citizens to access safety apps such as the Women Safety App, Punjab Police Pakistan App, and WhatsApp-based emergency services. Additionally, 15 panic buttons have been restored at key locations across the city. By simply pressing a button, citizens can instantly connect with emergency services 15 and have their concerns addressed.

Lahore has become the first city in South Asia to implement AI-based traffic violation detection. The Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system identifies traffic offenders and issues e-challans with photographic evidence. Citizens can check their e-challan status online using their vehicle registration number and CNIC.

A Virtual Blood Bank has been introduced on experimental basis. Citizens in need of blood can dial 15 and press 4 to connect with Safe City Officers, who will link them to available blood donors and blood banks. Colleges, universities, and NGOs have also been integrated into this centralized blood bank database.

The Punjab Emergency 15 Helpline has been upgraded to meet a global emergency response standards. It now offers advanced assistance features and integrates modern emergency response technology to better serve citizens.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has also inaugurated a working women’s hostel under the Safe City initiative. The hostel will provide safe and high-quality residential facilities for working women and will include a game area, daycare, library, and hall.

The Al-Beruni School of Technology has been established to train police personnel in modern investigation techniques. Various online courses are being offered to ensure that law enforcement remains proficient in using technology to combat crime. Safe City experts are conducting training sessions to familiarize Punjab Police officers with AI-driven crime prevention methods.

The “Crime Stoppers” initiative is helping responsible citizens report crimes anonymously. Reports can be submitted via Crime Stoppers Helpline or Safe City Website (with photo/video evidence). Crimes such as drug dealing, terrorism, human trafficking, sex crimes, gambling, and illegal arms possession can be reported confidentially. Additionally, electricity, gas, and water theft can also be reported.

The Punjab Safe Cities Authority has launched WhatsApp Channel to provide real-time updates on Emergency 15 services, Virtual Women Police Station, Virtual Center for Child Safety, Meesaq Center for Minorities, Traffic updates and e-challan.The Meri Pehchan service has been launched to locate missing individuals, including mentally or physically disabled persons and unidentified bodies. The Meri Pehchan team conducts biometric identification using NADRA’s database to reunite lost individuals with their families.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025