The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) began installing panic buttons in women’s colleges and universities across Lahore, following directives from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The initiative, aimed at enhancing student safety, marks a significant step in Punjab’s public safety infrastructure.
In the first phase, 39 institutions in Lahore have been equipped with panic buttons linked to the PSCA’s central control room and the Virtual Women Police Station. When pressed, the buttons trigger an immediate police response, offering a reliable safety tool when mobile phones are inaccessible. The system will expand to over 450 women’s colleges across Punjab, building on 122 operational panic buttons in Lahore and 101 in other cities.
وزیراعلیٰ مریم نواز کے ویژن کی روشنی میں "پینک بٹن" کی سہولت نے خواتین کو اپنے تحفظ میں خودمختار بنا دیا ہے۔ اب کسی بھی ہنگامی صورتحال میں فوری مدد کے لیے صرف ایک بٹن کی دوری پر ہے۔
#PunjabKiBetiMaryam pic.twitter.com/RsblVHzCDu
— PMLN (@pmln_org) March 8, 2025The PSCA spokesperson emphasised that the technology-driven approach aligns with efforts to create a safer Punjab, ensuring students feel secure in academic environments. The system addresses rising concerns about women’s safety, with 67% of female students citing security as a priority, per a 2024 Punjab University survey.
وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف صاحبہ کی ہدایت پر
پنجاب سیف سٹی اتھارٹی نے اہم عوامی مقامات، تعلیمی اداروں، بازاروں اور بس اسٹاپ کے باہر پینک بٹن نصب کیے ہیں!#safeCity #punjabpolice #panicbutton #security #safety #public #protection pic.twitter.com/VrNM4gkFbC
— Safe City (@PSCAsafecities) August 20, 2025The panic button rollout complements Punjab’s broader safety measures, including the Virtual Women Police Station, which handled over 10,000 complaints in 2024, per PSCA data. Chief Minister Sharif’s focus on technology-driven governance aims to reduce response times and enhance public trust in law enforcement.
The PSCA plans to extend the system to all women’s educational institutions, with completion expected by 2027. As Punjab strengthens its safety infrastructure, the initiative could set a model for other provinces, fostering safer academic environments and supporting women’s empowerment through secure access to education.
