Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has launched an upgraded version of its Public Safety App, enabling citizens to use critical safety and emergency services even without an internet connection. Managing Director Muhammad Ahsan Younis announced that, following an agreement with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, the app will remain free of data charges for the next 30 days, making it more accessible to residents across Punjab. The initiative reflects PSCA’s effort to leverage technology to enhance public safety and streamline access to emergency services for people in need.
The updated app focuses strongly on inclusivity and is tailored to serve vulnerable groups such as individuals with visual, hearing, and speech impairments, patients with epilepsy, and people facing mental health challenges. PSCA has trained agents in sign language to ensure instant communication during emergencies, enabling faster assistance for citizens who previously faced barriers in reporting or seeking help. A new lock screen option allows users to indicate their disability and add a close relative’s contact information for quick identification and rescue during critical situations.
In addition to these accessibility upgrades, the Public Safety App introduces a suite of advanced safety features. Users can activate gesture-based SOS alerts, benefit from fall detection systems for epilepsy patients, receive accident notifications, track family members, and access location-based flood alerts. These functions are integrated with the app’s existing tools to provide a more comprehensive emergency response system. Through direct calls, live chats, or video calls, citizens can connect with a wide range of emergency services, including fire brigades, ambulances, Motorway Police, Punjab Highway Patrol, and disaster response agencies.
The platform also extends beyond real-time emergency contact. It allows users to follow up on emergency complaints, check e-challans, report crimes through the Safety Eye feature, and register missing or found children. Integration with the Punjab Chief Minister’s Portal, Inspector General Police Complaint Cell, and Police Khidmat Markaz further strengthens coordination between citizens and authorities. Available in both Urdu and English, the app is designed to be user-friendly and accessible for all demographics. Younis emphasized that the new features will strengthen protection for women, children, the elderly, minorities, and persons with disabilities by ensuring faster rescue and relief services at no additional cost to the public.
Android and iOS versions of the application are available for download, offering residents a single, inclusive platform to report incidents, seek assistance, and stay updated on safety alerts across Punjab. By making the app functional without an internet connection and offering free data usage for a limited period, PSCA and PTA are taking practical steps to broaden access to technology-enabled public safety tools, ensuring that no citizen is left behind during emergencies.
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