Maryam Nawaz launches smart crime surveillance system

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has inaugurated a new Crime Surveillance Unit to strengthen policing, monitor police performance and improve crime prevention across the province through digital technology.

The newly established unit will monitor the performance of police officers at district, circle and police station levels. It will also provide access to the latest crime statistics from every police station across Punjab through a centralised digital system.

During the inauguration ceremony, Crime Surveillance Unit head Usman Tahir briefed the chief minister on its operations and monitoring mechanisms. He explained that the system would analyse the performance of senior police officials, including District Police Officers (DPOs), Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) and Station House Officers (SHOs).

The unit will collect and analyse information covering 20 different categories of crime. Its team of experts will prepare immediate analytical reports to identify crime patterns and assess police performance. The system will also track public complaints and applications to ensure they are addressed within the prescribed time. Officials responsible for unnecessary delays will face action.

The digital monitoring system will also identify significant social media content in accordance with national security requirements.

Maryam Nawaz directed the Punjab Inspector General of Police to prepare a comprehensive police reform plan and ensure effective use of data available through the Police Station Record Management System.

She expressed concern over complaints about unnecessary delays in the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) and instructed police authorities to address the issue. She also called for an immediate response to negative propaganda targeting the police.

The chief minister said the provincial government aimed to eliminate crime through effective policing and institutional reforms. She maintained that the actions of a few individuals should not undermine the reputation of the entire police force.

Maryam Nawaz also welcomed the reported decline in Punjab’s crime rate, describing it as an encouraging outcome of the reforms introduced by her government. She said the new surveillance unit would further strengthen the province’s efforts to improve law enforcement and public safety.