Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has authorized the creation of a specialized cyber crime unit aimed at combating online harassment and blackmail directed at women and children. This decision came during a high-level meeting focused on addressing the escalating problem of social media abuse.
Under this new initiative, victims will no longer be required to visit police stations to file complaints. Instead, mobile complaint units will be deployed to register cases directly at the victims’ residences. Additionally, women and children will have the option to submit complaints through a virtual police station, the front desk, or the Punjab Police Khidmat Markaz (PKM) app. Authorities have assured that all victim identities will be kept strictly confidential.
In a significant development, the government is preparing legislation to impose stringent penalties on those involved in harassment and blackmail. The draft of the Punjab Online Safety Act 2026 is already underway and will be presented soon. Furthermore, plans include establishing a Cyber Patrol Wing and a Cyber Police Academy to enhance enforcement capabilities.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has instructed officials to adopt a proactive stance against cyber criminals, emphasizing the need for an intelligence-driven monitoring and surveillance system for social media platforms. She also highlighted the importance of robust measures to protect cyber data.
Describing cyber crime as a major challenge, the chief minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the younger generation. She stressed the use of advanced technology to prevent blackmail, especially cases involving young girls. Maryam Nawaz also called on parents to supervise and regulate their children’s social media usage.
“Digital crimes against women and children must be eradicated at all costs. No one has the right to infringe upon others’ privacy,” she stated, warning that strict action will be taken to set a precedent against offenders involved in such crimes.
