Integrated surveillance reaches all districts
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday digitally inaugurated the Punjab Integrated Safe City Network, saying the project was aimed at freeing the citizens from the fear of crimes.
Punjab has become the first province to establish the integrated network in all its 41 districts and two tehsils.
Officials said on the occasion that joint efforts of the police, Crime Control Department (CCD) and Safe Cities Authority had resulted in an estimated 80 per cent reduction in crimes.
Safe Cities Authority Managing Director Ahsan Younas briefed the chief minister on the integrated smart safe cities network, saying artificial intelligence (AI) had enabled an effective province-wide surveillance system.
The system includes intelligent surveillance, Emergency helpline 15, traffic management, real-time command and control, and predictive policing. It also incorporates a Virtual Women Police Station, Child Safety Centre and Blood Bank along with traffic and environment-related services.
The MD said 1,500 more panic buttons would be installed across the province, with every police station to be equipped with the facility. Smart screens will also be installed at public places.
AI-enabled cameras would make it possible to identify faces and detect weapons, enhancing the law-enforcement and surveillance capabilities of the network.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced plans to extend the Safe Smart Cities project to every union council of the province.
She said Punjab was leading in technology, smart policing and predictive policing.
The chief minister said every district of Punjab had been transformed into a safe city in the past two and a half years.
"Having the entire Punjab visible on a single screen is no ordinary achievement," she said, adding that the province 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 public movement came 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 asserted.
She said there had been no serious crime or kidnapping for ransom in the riverine area in around 10 months. For the first time, the local administration had organised a cricket tournament in the area, she added. She described the improvement of law and order in the riverine area as an extraordinary development.
She said the government was bringing development projects worth Rs30 billion to the area, including healthcare and other facilities to develop it at par with the cities of Punjab.
The chief ministet said the Virtual Police Station had provided relief to 1.1 million women so far.
The chief minister announced that the number of panic buttons across Punjab would 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.