Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced the launch of a dedicated digital harassment protection system for Punjab, declaring a zero-tolerance approach toward harassment targeting women in both online and offline spaces. The announcement was made at a convocation ceremony at Lahore College for Women University, where the chief minister outlined a multi-pronged framework designed to address the growing problem of cyber harassment, online blackmail, and digital abuse that disproportionately affects women and young people across social media platforms and digital communication networks.
At the heart of the new system is a dedicated complaints mechanism designed to handle cases related to online harassment and digital abuse, with victim confidentiality built in as a foundational feature to encourage women to report incidents without fear of exposure or retaliation. Alongside the complaints platform, the chief minister proposed the wider installation of panic buttons for women in public and institutional spaces, as well as the establishment of virtual support centres to improve protection and emergency response mechanisms for victims who need immediate assistance. Maryam Nawaz also urged families to listen to and support girls who come forward to report harassment, addressing a social barrier that has historically prevented many victims from seeking formal help.
The digital harassment initiative sits within a broader agenda of women-focused governance that the chief minister highlighted during the ceremony, noting that women were now serving as divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, district police officers, and cabinet members across Punjab, reflecting what she described as a structural shift in how the province integrates women into positions of authority and responsibility. On the education and youth front, the chief minister outlined several complementary programmes underway in Punjab, including the completion of 100,000 houses under the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar scheme, merit scholarships for 100,000 students, and plans to distribute an additional 100,000 electric bikes to students next year. The government is also expanding investments in artificial intelligence centres, computer laboratories, sports gymnasiums, and school meal programmes across the province, situating the digital harassment protection system within a wider push to make Punjab’s digital and physical environment safer, more inclusive, and more technologically equipped for its younger generation.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
