Consequently, City Police Officer (CPO) Tanveer Hussain has issued a strict directive for the district. Specifically, all commercial establishments must install CCTV cameras within one month. This urgent mandate targets shopkeepers, departmental stores, wholesale markets, and shopping malls. Ultimately, it serves as a critical measure to improve public safety and combat a devastating spike in child sexual abuse.
Severe Penalties for Non-Compliance
Therefore, businesses that fail to equip their premises before the deadline will face immediate legal action. In fact, law enforcement authorities warn that non-compliance will result in the registration of criminal cases. Additionally, officers will completely seal the offending business premises. Furthermore, CPO Hussain emphasized that this mandatory security infrastructure will actively deter theft and armed robbery.
Disturbing Crime Statistics Drive Policy Change
Crucially, this sweeping security decision follows deeply concerning official figures from the first half of the year. For example, police records reveal that an alarming 330 cases involving the sexual abuse of minors were reported between January 1 and June 30, 2026.
Regional Breakdown of Reported Cases:
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Jaranwala Division: 82 cases
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Madina Town: 80 cases
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Sadar Division: 72 cases
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Iqbal Division: 71 cases
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Lyallpur Town: 25 cases
Current Status of Police Investigations
Meanwhile, authorities have processed a portion of these horrific incidents through the local judicial system. However, a significant backlog remains.
Legal Status of the 330 Cases:
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Completed Investigations: 154 cases with finalized challans submitted to courts.
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Under Investigation: 118 cases currently pending with incomplete challans.
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Special Submissions: 6 cases submitted under Section 512 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
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Dismissed: Finally, 48 cases were dropped from the official docket.
Police urge the business community to install surveillance systems immediately. By doing so, shopkeepers can avoid legal crackdowns and help authorities restore a safe environment for vulnerable citizens.
