Punjab to have 18 'safe cities'

Chief Minister Maryam inaugurates project in Sheikhupura

LAHORE:

Sheikhupura became the fourth 'safe city' of Punjab as Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the project, monitored the video wall and inspected the communication equipment deployed to ensure protection of the citizens..

A plan to implement the safe city security measures in 18 cities of Punjab by next March was inaugurated by the CM.

She was apprised about the advanced body cam, smartphone and other devices used in the project.

She was brief by the managing director of the Safe Cities Authority about the project. The chief minister interacted with police communication officers and monitored roads and markets through the cameras.

She was informed that 273 cameras would be installed at 52 important places of Sheikhupura. E-challans will be imposed automatically for violation of traffic rules. The Safe City Authority in Sheikhupura will also monitor the Air Quality Index. Criminals will be identified and traced through a Facial Recognition System.

'Pink buttons' have also been installed at 10 places in the city and with free WiFi facility at 15 locations.

Later, CM Maryam Nawaz and assembly members from Sheikhupura were brief by the Sheikhupura district police officer about the law and order situation. The deputy commissioner apprised her about progress on the 'CM's initiatives'.

On the demand of the assembly members, it was agreed that the Sheikhupura-Sargodha road and overhead bridge project would be expanded.

The chief minister ordered effective measures for the elimination of wall-chalking from the city. She directed the DC and police officials to keep the doors of their offices open for the public. She also directed the assembly members to monitor and visit the development projects and initiatives.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was also the chief guest at a ceremony in the Garments City Sheikhupura to mark the completion of the training of the first batch of her project to make women skilled and economically empowered. She gave certificates to the women trained in garment making and sewing.

The CM also offered financial assistance to needy women of Wagah in the form of scholarships and job letters along with the certificates.

"The purpose of making you skilled is that you become not a receiver but a giver, don't be dependent on anyone," she said on the occasion.

The chief minister said garment training centres would be set up in every tehsil.

"No one will consider you weak after becoming skilled," she said while speaking to the women receiving the training.

She said no woman should have to seek help, rather she should be able to earn with dignity.

"Women of Punjab should be an example of development and prosperity in every field including education, health, employment and sports," she added.