The Punjab Safe Cities Authority has launched a Quick Response code-based panic button system across the province’s public transport network, covering buses, vans, rickshaws, taxis, and other vehicles, in an initiative developed entirely in-house under the Digital Punjab vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz without placing any additional financial burden on the government.
Passengers can access the service free of charge through the Public Safety App and the official digital platform of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority. The system incorporates 12 safety features, including emergency calling, video calling, live chat, location sharing, vehicle verification, and instant coordination with police response units. Scanning the Quick Response code at the start of a journey allows passengers to view verified details of the vehicle, its owner, and registered driver, and passengers can share those verified details with family members or trusted contacts, providing an additional layer of personal security before and during travel.
In an emergency, passengers may reach authorities through a voice call, video call, or live chat, directly accessible from within the Public Safety App. Upon activation, the system automatically transmits the live location and full vehicle details of the passenger to the control room of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, after which authorities can coordinate a rapid response through the command-and-control network of the province, enabling real-time tracking and swift deployment of police resources. Officials confirmed that drivers may also use the Quick Response panic button to seek immediate assistance whenever they face an emergency situation on the road.
Inspector General of Police Punjab Abdul Karim said protecting the lives and property of citizens remains the foremost priority of the police force across Punjab, adding that the Quick Response Panic Button would function as an effective bridge between law enforcement agencies and members of the travelling public. Managing Director of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority Ahsan Younas said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to modernise and digitally connect the public transport sector in the province, with the authority aiming to build a safety ecosystem supported by advanced surveillance, smart technology, and real-time response systems across Punjab.
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