Punjab Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, opened Pakistan’s first virtual women police station, named “Meri Awaz… Maryam Nawaz.” This new initiative aims to help women deal with legal issues without needing to physically visit police stations. Maryam Nawaz expressed her gratitude for this development, stating that it will simplify the process for women seeking assistance from the police.
She explained that the virtual station will assist women through all stages of addressing a crime, from filing a complaint to its investigation and trial. Women can reach out to the police through various means, including a special helpline, live chat, video calls, and specific apps and portals.
Maryam emphasized that the station will prioritize solving women’s problems, particularly harassment cases, with confidentiality. To further aid women, trained female officers with IT backgrounds will be available at the virtual station.
In addition to Punjab’s virtual women station, modern emergency panic buttons have been set up in key locations across Lahore, connecting directly to law enforcement in case of trouble. Maryam also launched a complaint system for reporting crimes or misconduct anonymously.
During her visit, Maryam inspected the virtual station and discussed its operations with the officers. She also urged the completion of facilities like hostels and daycare centers for women officers. Furthermore, she was briefed on other safety projects by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority.
Moreover, Maryam Nawaz introduced free Wi-Fi services at more than 50 spots in Lahore. The officials also highlighted the use of artificial intelligence in issuing traffic fines, a first in South Asia, to improve law enforcement in the city.
