DERA GHAZI KHAN: In a move aimed at enhancing safety of public, especially of women, and reduce police response time during emergencies, local authorities have installed ‘panic buttons’ at ten strategic locations across the city.

Officials say that in the event of an emergency — such as harassment, robbery, street crime, accident, or any threat to public safety — anyone present at these spots can simply press the panic button.

They say that every panic button is directly linked to the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) local control room, which operates round the clock.

Once a panic button is activated, the control room immediately alerts the nearest police mobile, enabling the officials to reach the scene without any delay and provide necessary assistance, they explained.

The officials says that this initiative is part of a broader effort to modernise the city’s security infrastructure and make law enforcement agencies more accessible to people.

A PSCA spokesperson says, “Every second counts in an emergency. These panic buttons cut out the need for a phone call or searching a helpline number. With one press, help is on the way.”

He says that the ten locations have been chosen for installation of panic buttons based on high footfall and vulnerability, including busy markets, educational institutions and transport hubs.

Authorities plan to monitor the system’s effectiveness closely and may expand it to more areas in the coming months, he adds.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2026