Pakistan launches initiative to boost emergency response with smartphone cameras

ISLAMABAD: In a significant shift towards digital policing, the Punjab government has empowered citizens to convert their smartphones into “Live Safe City Cameras,” enabling real-time video streaming of emergencies directly to police control rooms.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday announced the move on her official X account, calling it a “milestone development” under the Safe Punjab initiative.

Developed by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) and spearheaded by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz sharif, the system operates through two primary channels. Users of the updated PSCA Public Safety App can now access a “Live Stream” button that instantly broadcasts video to the central command center. 

Alternatively, citizens calling Emergency-15 can receive a secure SMS link; clicking it activates their phone’s camera, giving police temporary visual access to the situation.

Unlike standard mobile recordings, these live streams are immediately geolocated on the police dispatch map. The footage is automatically watermarked and time-stamped, ensuring it meets legal standards for digital evidence in court.

The upgrade is closely linked to CM Maryam Nawaz’s earlier launch of the Virtual Women Police Station, which provides remote support to women facing safety concerns.

Women traveling alone or experiencing harassment can activate the live stream to receive a “digital escort.” Female officers in the control room monitor their live route and coordinate with nearby patrol units until the caller reaches safety.

PSCA officials explicitly stated that the "Live Stream" feature is one-way and citizen initiated. The app's privacy policy and terms of use clarify that camera access is granted only when the user actively engages the "Alert-15" button or the "Safety Eye" feature.

The live video is not stored on the user’s phone, a safeguard meant to protect complainants if their device is stolen or forcibly checked.