Punjab Launches Cyber Patrolling Unit to Tackle Online Harassment Against Women

The Punjab Women Protection Authority (PWPA) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) have announced the formation of a dedicated Cyber Patrolling Unit to monitor and prevent online harassment across the province.

The announcement came during a high-level meeting held at PWPA’s central office in Wahdat Colony, Lahore, chaired by PWPA Chairperson Hina Parvez Butt. The meeting was attended by Additional Director NCCIA Lahore Zone Muhammad Sarfraz Chaudhry and other senior officials from both organizations.

A formalized Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) soon to be established will enable both entities to conduct active platform monitoring specifically for social media exposure of threatening behaviors such as harassment, blackmail, and explicit content aimed at women.

“We are committed to creating a safer digital environment for every woman in Punjab,” declared Hina Parvez Butt. The Cyber Patrolling Unit will carry out offender prosecution and provide victim assistance alongside streamlining FIR procedures to deliver transparent mass justice through improved follow-up procedures.

The initiative is also rooted in a strong focus on prevention. It includes public awareness campaigns, digital literacy programs, and workshops designed to empower women with the tools and knowledge to protect themselves online.

This development aligns with Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s firm directive on women’s safety, who has drawn a clear line on the issue, declaring that “crimes against women are absolutely intolerable.”

Chairperson Hina Parvez Butt reiterated the Punjab government’s commitment to protecting the dignity, safety, and autonomy of women, adding that the Cyber Patrolling Unit would become operational shortly after the signing of the MoU.