LAHORE: The Punjab government has approved the establishment of a dedicated cybercrime unit to tackle online harassment and blackmail targeting women and children, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen digital safety. The decision was finalised during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in Lahore on Friday.
During the meeting, officials agreed that complaints could be registered through the Cybercrime Unit Front Desk as well as the “PKM” mobile application. In addition, authorities decided to introduce new legislation, with an initial draft of the Punjab Online Safety Act 2026 expected to be presented soon to ensure strict punishment for offenders.
Importantly, the government announced that victims, particularly women and minors, would no longer need to visit police stations to lodge complaints. Instead, mobile units will facilitate on-site complaint registration, while a virtual police station will allow victims to report incidents online. This approach aims to make the process more accessible and less intimidating.
Furthermore, the authorities approved the establishment of a Cyber Patrol Wing under Punjab Police, along with a Cyber Police Academy to enhance professional capacity in dealing with digital crimes. The chief minister directed officials to adopt a proactive strategy to identify and apprehend cybercriminals.
Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz emphasised the urgent need to safeguard sensitive data related to cybercrime cases and protect victims’ privacy. She described cybercrime as a major challenge and stressed the importance of using modern technology to protect young people, especially girls, from exploitation.
She also urged parents to monitor and limit their children’s social media usage. Concluding the meeting, she reiterated that digital crimes against women and children must be eliminated and vowed that the government would ensure strict accountability for perpetrators.
