Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif appealed to women and female students to activate emergency panic buttons whenever they encounter harassment, threats or any perilous situation, saying the devices link them straight to authorities for rapid assistance.
The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has installed these buttons in schools and public venues to boost women's safety. In the initial rollout, 39 women's colleges and universities in Lahore were equipped, with a plan to reach over 450 women's colleges throughout Punjab.
Pressing a button triggers an alert that is sent to the PSCA control room and the Virtual Women Police Station, enabling officials to evaluate the incident and dispatch police support.
This measure forms part of the provincial government's broader strategy to safeguard women in public areas. Additional services include the Virtual Women Police Station, which lets women lodge complaints and obtain advice without physically visiting a police station.
Authorities have also added safety features on pedestrian bridges and public transport vehicles to help women obtain help during emergencies.