CM Maryam Nawaz launches major Punjab police reform plan
Gives three months for modernisation drive: 14,000 bodycams and 700 panic buttons to be installed: Citizens to register lost documents through online FIR system
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has unveiled a plan for reforms in Punjab police, giving officials a three-month period to implement a series of modernisation measures aimed at improving public service and accountability, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.
According to details, a high-level meeting presided over by the Chief Minister, several initiatives were approved, including the installation of panic buttons outside police stations, the introduction of video and audio recording during investigations, and the launch of an online FIR tracking system.
Under the plan, 14,000 body cameras and 700 panic buttons will be installed across the province, while each police station will receive bodycams for 10 personnel.
Additionally, citizens will be able to register FIRs for lost identification cards and documents online.
The Chief Minister emphasised that all police personnel should address citizens respectfully, using “Sir” as a standard greeting, and that the culture of rudeness at checkpoints must be eliminated.
Minor complaints are expected to be resolved within 2–3 hours. Officers will gather public feedback regularly, and traffic management will be streamlined using the newly launched Traffic Police “One App” and Safe City Monitoring app.
A briefing revealed that Punjab has seen a 48 percent reduction in overall crime and an 80 percent drop in major offenses.
The average police response time of 80 minutes has helped reduce negative public feedback, with approximately 16.8 million people visiting police stations annually.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif asserted that only criminals should fear the police—not ordinary citizens.
She stressed that there will be no compromise on the protection of women and children, and that no citizen is less important than a VIP in Punjab.