UN recognises Punjab govt’s digital governance model

Pakistan has received a significant international accolade after the Punjab government’s digital governance model earned recognition at a prestigious United Nations forum, with the Punjab Safe Cities Authority's child protection initiative being declared a global champion project.

According to officials, the Punjab Safe Cities Authority's “Virtual Center for Child Safety (Mera Pyara)” was recognized among the world's leading digital governance initiatives at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2026, a globally respected platform for digital governance and public services organized under the auspices of the United Nations.

The achievement marks a major success for the digital governance vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, whose administration has focused on technology-driven public service delivery and citizen-centric governance.

In April 2026, two projects of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority — the Virtual Women Police Station and the Virtual Center for Child Safety — were shortlisted globally for the WSIS Prizes. Pakistan became the only country to have two projects shortlisted in the UN's e-governance category.

The Virtual Center for Child Safety, also known as “Mera Pyara,” secured a place among the world's top five champion projects and was praised for its role in child protection and digital public service delivery.

According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, the project has taken effective action in cases involving more than 145,000 children. Officials said the initiative successfully handled over 54,000 missing children cases and helped reunite more than 77,000 children with their families, including thousands of children with special needs.

The project also provides digital support and intervention in cases related to child exploitation, online harassment, cyber threats, and other child safety concerns.

The spokesperson said the international recognition reflects growing global confidence in Punjab’s technology-driven governance framework and highlights Pakistan’s positive and modern image on the world stage.

“This global success is a reflection of international trust in the citizen-centric and technology-based governance model introduced under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif,” the spokesperson said.

Officials added that the award demonstrates the increasing international recognition of Pakistan’s public-sector digital services and positions the Punjab Safe Cities Authority as a leading institution in public service innovation, child protection, and modern digital governance.

The recognition is being viewed as a landmark achievement for Pakistan, showcasing the country's progress in leveraging technology to address social challenges and improve public service delivery at an international level.