LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday announced plans to extend the Safe Smart Cities project to every tehsil and union council of the province and install another 1,500 panic buttons at police stations and prominent public places.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Punjab Integrated Safe City Network on Independence Day, the chief minister congratulated the nation and said the launch of safe city networks across all districts of Punjab on Aug 14 was an honour.
“Seeing the bright faces and courageous children gives me confidence that Punjab is moving forward. We will never let any harm come to them,” she said.
The CM Punjab said it was encouraging to see children from far-flung areas such as Rajanpur’s Rojhan and Haroonabad serving as police communication officers.
She said Punjab was leading in technology, smart policing and predictive policing. “Today, when I look at the Safe City Authority, I bow my head in gratitude to Allah,” she said, adding that an effective digital system was operating for the public through the emergency helpline 15.
The chief minister acknowledged the contribution of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the Safe City project, describing him as her uncle, mentor and founder of the Safe City initiative.
“It would be unfair not to give Shehbaz Sharif credit for the Safe City Authority. He created the path of Safe City on which we have reached here today,” she said.
By the grace of Allah, every district of Punjab had been transformed into a safe city in the past two and a half years, she said, adding, “Having the entire Punjab visible on a single screen is no ordinary achievement,” she said, adding that Punjab had emerged as a national leader in technology-driven safety and security.
She said AI-based systems, smart surveillance and predictive policing were being used to monitor developments and take timely action.
Referring to the security situation in the province, the chief minister said more than 70 areas of Punjab had previously been regarded as no-go areas, where movement would come to a halt after sunset. “By the grace of Allah, there is no no-go area anywhere in Punjab now, including the riverine belt,” she said.
She said there had been no serious crime or kidnapping-for-ransom incident in the riverine area for around 10 months. For the first time, the district administration had organised a cricket tournament there, she added.
“The bat has replaced weapons in the hands of children and the ball has replaced the launcher,” she said, describing the improvement in law and order in the riverine area as an extraordinary development.
She said the government was bringing development projects worth Rs30 billion to the riverine area, including healthcare and other facilities, and would develop the area on a par with other cities of Punjab.
The chief minister said the effectiveness, technology and performance of the Safe City Authority had received international recognition and the project had been included among successful initiatives at the global level.
She said the Virtual Police Station had provided relief to 1.1 million women.
She announced that the number of panic buttons across Punjab would also be increased to strengthen the sense of security among women and children.
“Women and children should know that their government cares about them. I care about everyone and feel responsible for everyone’s safety,” she said. She recalled that after learning about accommodation problems faced by young women during her first visit to the Safe City Authority, she had ordered the construction of a women’s hostel.
The chief minister said the Child Safety App had helped resolve 100,000 cases and reunite 80,000 children with their families. “When a child goes missing in front of parents, they can never forget it,” she said.
She cited the example of a woman in Bhakkar who pressed a panic button after her husband suffered a cardiac emergency, triggering an immediate response from the entire system.
She said drone surveillance had been used for aerial monitoring during rains, floods, Muharram processions and religious gatherings. “Wherever an event is taking place, the Safe City’s eye is watching everything,” she said.
During floods, night-vision cameras had also helped identify both people and animals, she added. “Punjab is a province where not only people but animals are also protected,” Maryam said, recalling that she had personally monitored rescue operations on her mobile through Safe City cameras during a fire at a commercial centre.
She said digital monitoring continued until the last person trapped in the building was rescued.
In another instance, a Safe City camera detected a bird entangled in overhead wires, following which Rescue 1122 personnel used a ladder to free it, she said.
The chief minister said Punjab had now become safer and better for everyone. “Punjab is awake. Decisions are no longer made in the dark but on the basis of data, helping save human lives,” she said.
She said commuters could seek assistance in an emergency by scanning QR codes installed on public transport. She reiterated that the Safe City model would be expanded from the district level to tehsils and then to union councils, creating a complete Safe City network at the grassroots level.
“Every citizen should be confident that the government is watching over them and will not allow any harm to come to them,” she said.
She attributed the decline in crime in Punjab to the Safe City network and other government measures, saying criminals knew that “the eye of the camera is watching”.
“Who says that work is being done only in Lahore? A Safe City will be visible in every district,” she said. “The government is awake for its people,” she added.
The chief minister prayed for Pakistan’s continued peace and prosperity and for the national flag to remain high.
She also paid tribute to Inspector General of Police Rao Abdul Kareem, Managing Director Ahsan Younas and the entire Safe City team for their efforts. She also acknowledged the services of former IGP Dr Usman Anwar for the Safe City project.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026