An initial draft of the Punjab Online Safety Act 2026, aimed at tackling increasing issues of harassment and blackmail on social media, has been prepared. This legislation will soon be presented in the Punjab Assembly for approval, announced Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on April 10. In conjunction with this, a dedicated Punjab Cyber Crime Unit will be established.
During a meeting, Chief Minister Nawaz highlighted the government’s initiatives, which include setting up special mobile units to assist minors in reporting online harassment and blackmail incidents without needing to visit police stations. Additionally, a virtual police station and the ‘PKM’ mobile application will enable victims, particularly women and children, to lodge complaints while maintaining their anonymity.
Chief Minister Nawaz also shared that a Cyber Patrol Wing and a Cyber Police Academy will be created under the Punjab Police. An advanced intelligence system for social media monitoring and surveillance is also planned. She directed the concerned authorities to adopt a proactive approach in curbing cybercrime and ensuring robust data protection measures.
The decision to establish a separate provincial cybercrime unit comes in response to dissatisfaction with the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
