Record Rs252b earmarked for police modernisation, Safe Cities projects: Minister Mujtaba

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jun, 2026) The Punjab government has earmarked Rs 252 billion for the police and allied institutions in the fiscal year 2026-27 budget, including development and non-development expenditures, to strengthen law and order, enhance public safety and modernise law enforcement across the province.

Presenting the budget in the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday, Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman said the allocation reflected the government's commitment to maintaining peace, combating crime and reinforcing the writ of the state under the vision of a "Mehfooz Punjab".

He said the scope of digital security and surveillance was being expanded through the Smart Safe Cities Project, CM Tehsils Smart Safe Cities Project and PPIC Regional Data Centres. Ongoing projects under these initiatives, with a total cost of Rs 47.1 billion, would utilise advanced cameras, data analytics and command-and-control systems to improve crime prevention, protect lives and property and enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies.

The minister said these projects would directly benefit residents of 19 districts and major tehsils across Punjab.

He said the operational capacity of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) was being enhanced through the provision of anti-drone equipment, armoured vehicles, modern surveillance systems and AI-based predictive analytics tools.

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A Counter Narrative and Cognitive Security Wing was also being established to counter terrorism, extremism and anti-state propaganda, minister said.

To promote transparent policing, panic buttons, body-worn cameras and digital evidence recording systems were being installed at police stations, police posts and Punjab Highway Patrol vehicles across the province, he added.

The finance minister said 6,000 body cameras would also be provided to the Traffic Police to strengthen transparency, accountability and public confidence.

He said proposals had been included for the provision of modern GSM locators, drones, jammers, thermal imaging systems and night-vision goggles to the Special Branch and other security agencies.

In addition, resources had been allocated for the upgradation of the Counter Narcotics Force and the Crime Control Department, as well as for the procurement of police weapons, ammunition, uniforms and vehicles.

The minister said the budget also included Rs 2.20 billion for the construction of police stations, police posts and police pickets in the riverine (Katcha) areas to improve security and law enforcement in vulnerable regions.

He added that Crime Scene Units were being established in 28 districts at a cost of Rs 1.421 billion to ensure the scientific collection, preservation, storage and transfer of forensic evidence in accordance with international standards.