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LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday digitally inaugurated the Punjab Integrated Safe City Network, making Punjab the first province in Pakistan to establish an integrated Safe City network across all the 41 districts and two tehsils.
Addressing a ceremony at the Safe City Headquarters, the chief minister said the establishment of Safe City network in 43 cities would help citizens gain freedom from the fear of crime and criminals. She inspected screens displaying the Safe City operations of different districts.
Inspector General of Police Punjab Rao Abdul Karim thanked the chief minister for her continued support to Punjab Police. The chief minister heard experiences of police communication officers from different parts of the province.
Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) Managing Director Ahsan Younis briefed the chief minister on the Integrated Smart Safe Cities Network and said an effective province-wide surveillance system had been established with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The system includes intelligent surveillance, Emergency 15, intelligent traffic management, real-time command and control and a predictive policing system. The Safe City project also incorporates a Virtual Women Police Station, Child Safety Virtual Centre, Virtual Blood Bank, Meesaq, traffic and environment-related initiatives.
He said 1,500 additional panic buttons would be installed across the province, while every police station would be equipped with a panic button. Smart screens would be installed at Police Khidmat Markaz, shopping centres and other public places. Emergency 15, digital evidence and real-time command and control systems would further strengthen public safety. AI-enabled cameras would facilitate facial recognition and detection of weapons. The Punjab Safe City Public Safety Model has received international recognition, including the United Nations WSIS Champion Award and the IACP Excellence Award.
Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz extended felicitations to the nation on the Independence Day and expressed gratitude to Allah Almighty for blessing the country with freedom.
In her message, she paid a rich tribute to Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah and all other leaders and elders who played their role in the struggle for the creation of Pakistan. She also paid homage to the martyrs and Ghazis who rendered sacrifices during the struggle for independence, the process of nation-building and the defence of the motherland. “From the achievement of independence to safeguarding freedom, we salute the valiant Pakistan Army for making the defence of the homeland invincible in the battle for truth,” she said, adding that the nation also saluted every brave soldier deployed to guard the country’s borders.
She felicitated teachers, students, workers, labourers and all segments of society on the Independence Day and said everyone must renew the pledge to play their full role in the development of Pakistan. “We want to give future generations a better and safer Pakistan,” she said, adding that if every individual lit the lamp of his or her share, the entire country would be illuminated with hope.
She said sincerity and a sense of responsibility were the true expressions of patriotism and urged citizens to contribute towards making the country more prosperous. She said the Independence Day was an occasion for the younger generation to renew its commitment to the future.
“We want to see pens, books and laptops in the hands of our youths,” she said and added that studying with dedication by students, teaching with commitment by teachers, showing compassion by doctors and honesty by traders were all manifestations of true patriotism.
Pakistanis are the best nation in the world and Pakistan is the best country in the world. Genuine development is one in which no individual is left behind. “We are working day and night, lighting lamps of hope and turning dreams into reality,” she said.
