LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday approved the establishment of the province’s first cybercrime investigation unit and made e-tagging mandatory for all vehicles, including motorcycles.

Presiding over a special meeting held to discuss the crackdown on digital terrorism and bring cyber networks under strict surveillance, the chief minister said the surveillance across Punjab would be significantly intensified in the coming days.

She also directed the establishment of a “micro security iron shield” within seven days.

She also gave a go-ahead to the establishment of “Punjab Cybercrime Investigation Unit (CCIU)” and appointment of its head. She also approved a special protection cell for women affected by cybercrime.

E-tagging declared mandatory for all vehicles, including motorcycles

The CM also approved district-level anti-cybercrime centres across Punjab, saying that no “safe routes” would be allowed for criminal groups in the province.

An official source told Dawn after the meeting that the first cybercrime investigation unit of the province is likely to become functional in a few weeks. “The Punjab government’s working in this respect is underway. It is also consulting the federal body, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), to avoid overlapping of their functioning in the province,” he said, adding the unit’s prime focus would not be going after political opponents, but helping the women victims of cybercrime.

During the meeting, the CM said that e-tagging would be mandatory for all vehicles in the province, including motorcycles.

Further, she directed to block movement of anti-state elements through non-traditional provincial entry points, and the installation of searchlights and drone surveillance of these points.

She also directed rooftop monitoring systems at check posts and ordered the department concerned to procure an advanced drone defence system.

She also stressed the regulation and restriction of unauthorised drone usage.

The CM stated that combing operations would continue to identify terrorists and criminal elements.

She also gave instructions to enhance training and equipping the riot management police with modern gear. “We must remain united and proactive to eliminate terrorism. The entry of a suspected suicide attacker into Punjab through a checkpoint is alarming. We cannot afford complacency as everyone must remain vigilant,” she said, adding, “The nature of warfare has changed, and we must adapt and prepare [ourselves] accordingly,“ she added.

The meeting decided that the security standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Youm-e-Hazrat Ali (RA) would be finalised after consultations with religious scholars.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2026