Punjab has launched a QR-based panic button system across its public transport network, covering buses, vans, rickshaws, taxis, and other vehicles throughout the province.
The Punjab Safe Cities Authority developed the initiative in-house under the Digital Punjab vision of CM Maryam Nawaz, with no additional financial burden placed on the government.
According to media reports, passengers can access the service free of charge through the Public Safety App and the official digital platform of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority.
The system incorporates 12 safety features, including emergency calling, video calling, live chat, location sharing, vehicle verification, and instant coordination with police response units.
Scanning the QR code at the start of a journey allows passengers to view verified details of the vehicle, its owner, and registered driver.
Passengers can share those verified details with their family members or trusted contacts, providing an additional layer of personal security before and during travel.
In an emergency, passengers may reach authorities through a voice call, video call, or live chat, directly accessible from within the Public Safety App.
Upon activation, the system automatically transmits the live location and full vehicle details of the passenger to the control room of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority.
Authorities can then coordinate a rapid response through the command-and-control network of the province, enabling real-time tracking and swift deployment of police resources.
Officials confirmed that drivers may also use the QR panic button to seek immediate assistance whenever they face an emergency situation on the road.
Inspector General of Police Punjab Abdul Karim said protecting the lives and property of citizens remains the foremost priority of the police force across Punjab.
Abdul Karim added that the QR Panic Button would function as an effective bridge between law enforcement agencies and members of the traveling public.
Managing Director of PSCA Ahsan Younas said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to modernize and digitally connect the public transport sector in the province.
Ahsan said the authority aims to build a safety ecosystem supported by advanced surveillance, smart technology, and real-time response systems across the province.