Punjab Safe Cities Authority has decided to expand its panic button project to strengthen security for Chinese nationals living and working across the province. Under the initiative, a modern emergency alert system will be introduced at Chinese residential compounds and worksites to ensure a faster response during security incidents.
Officials said panic buttons will be installed at residences and project sites, allowing occupants to instantly alert relevant authorities in the event of an emergency. The system is designed to improve coordination between law enforcement agencies and reduce response times when incidents occur at locations connected to Chinese nationals. As part of the expansion, the Special Protection Unit, which is responsible for providing security to Chinese citizens in Punjab, will also be equipped with panic button technology to strengthen its operational capabilities.
In the first phase of the rollout, more than 200 Chinese related installations in Lahore will receive QR code enabled panic buttons. Authorities said the technology is intended to help security agencies respond more effectively to emergencies while strengthening protection measures for both Chinese citizens and strategically important sites connected to their presence in the province.
The expansion builds on Punjab Safe Cities Authority’s broader panic button infrastructure, which already includes a QR code based system introduced last month for public transport vehicles including buses, vans, rickshaws, and taxis, offering passengers access to emergency calling, video calling, live location sharing, and vehicle verification through the Public Safety App. The authority also operates a network of fixed emergency panic buttons installed along major roads in Lahore, connecting directly to police and Rescue 1122 emergency services for citizens facing incidents such as robbery, harassment, or medical emergencies.
Punjab Safe Cities Authority said work is underway to further enhance the system as part of broader efforts to improve security arrangements for Chinese nationals residing in the province. The expansion comes amid continued government focus on protecting Chinese citizens working on projects across Pakistan, with security for Chinese nationals remaining a consistent priority for provincial and federal authorities given the scale of Chinese investment and personnel presence tied to projects across the country.
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