
Country's first virtual centre for child safety established
LAHORE: Under the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan's first 'Virtual Centre for Child Safety' has been established with regard to forced child labour under the auspices of Punjab Safe Cities Authority.
A team of professional experts in the centre is tasked to carryout search operation for the missing persons, getting in touch with heirs and verifying their credentials.
The centre has proven to be an effective in bringing back home not only missing children but also frail elderly people. In case of disappearance of a child or an elderly person of loved ones, there is an easy-to-use contact system at Virtual Centre for Child Safety. It is possible to contact the Virtual Centre for Child Safety immediately by calling the emergency helpline 15 and pressing the button number 3.
Citizens across Punjab can contact the Virtual Centre for Child Safety through the Safety App. For the first time, a special helpline 0309-0000015 has also been activated for missing children and citizens of other provinces as well. There is also a facility to report missing children by making a call, sending WhatsApp message or text message on a special helpline.
More than 59,635 people have contacted the Virtual Safety Centre to complain about missing persons. 53,542 cases of missing persons have been successfully resolved through Punjab's first Virtual Centre for Child Safety. More than 26,000 people have reached their homes after going missing on account of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's innovative initiative to establish Virtual Centre for Child Safety.
The Chief Minister highlighted 'Children are my red line; I can understand the profound grief of parents in case of their disappearance. Whether children belong to Punjab or any other province, they are all dear to us.'
She maintained, 'In case of disappearance, we are determined to fulfil our responsibility of bringing every child home safe and sound. Every citizen of the country can benefit from Pakistan's first Virtual Centre for Child Safety.'
She outlined, 'Punjab's first Virtual Centre for Child Safety is a successful initiative of promoting humanitarianism, national solidarity, digital technology and good governance. We are ready to utilize all available state resources for the safe return of missing children.'
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
CM promises facilities for special persons
"Albinism is not a weakness, it is just a part of natural diversity," said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in her message on International Albinism Awareness Day. She added,"People with albinism are the bright side of beauty, it is a social duty to respect and protect them." She highlighted,"We want a Punjab where no one is considered inferior on the basis of skin, appearance or birth difference." The chief miinister said,"The scope of love, respect and acceptance for people with albinism must be further expanded." She added,"Punjab government is actively working to provide complete educational and medical facilities to people with albinism and other special people." She underscored,"It is necessary to unite and raise our voices to protect the rights of people with albinism and eliminate discrimination." In another statement, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed a deep sense of grief over loss of lives in a traffic accident near Chakwal. She offered condolences and extended her heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family.


Business Recorder
21 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Country's first virtual centre for child safety established
LAHORE: Under the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan's first 'Virtual Centre for Child Safety' has been established with regard to forced child labour under the auspices of Punjab Safe Cities Authority. A team of professional experts in the centre is tasked to carryout search operation for the missing persons, getting in touch with heirs and verifying their credentials. The centre has proven to be an effective in bringing back home not only missing children but also frail elderly people. In case of disappearance of a child or an elderly person of loved ones, there is an easy-to-use contact system at Virtual Centre for Child Safety. It is possible to contact the Virtual Centre for Child Safety immediately by calling the emergency helpline 15 and pressing the button number 3. Citizens across Punjab can contact the Virtual Centre for Child Safety through the Safety App. For the first time, a special helpline 0309-0000015 has also been activated for missing children and citizens of other provinces as well. There is also a facility to report missing children by making a call, sending WhatsApp message or text message on a special helpline. More than 59,635 people have contacted the Virtual Safety Centre to complain about missing persons. 53,542 cases of missing persons have been successfully resolved through Punjab's first Virtual Centre for Child Safety. More than 26,000 people have reached their homes after going missing on account of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's innovative initiative to establish Virtual Centre for Child Safety. The Chief Minister highlighted 'Children are my red line; I can understand the profound grief of parents in case of their disappearance. Whether children belong to Punjab or any other province, they are all dear to us.' She maintained, 'In case of disappearance, we are determined to fulfil our responsibility of bringing every child home safe and sound. Every citizen of the country can benefit from Pakistan's first Virtual Centre for Child Safety.' She outlined, 'Punjab's first Virtual Centre for Child Safety is a successful initiative of promoting humanitarianism, national solidarity, digital technology and good governance. We are ready to utilize all available state resources for the safe return of missing children.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Chemical-makers for structural reforms, forward-looking policy framework
LAHORE: The Pakistan Chemical Manufacturers Association (PCMA) has formally expressed its observations regarding the Federal Budget 2025–26, calling for comprehensive structural reforms and a forward-looking policy framework to strengthen Pakistan's $16 billion chemical sector — a critical enabler of all manufacturing sectors including textiles, leather, Plastics, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and packaging. PCMA Chairman Haroon Ali Khan, in his official statement, acknowledged positive budgetary like intent to revive Large Scale Manufacturing, taking notice of misuse of tax incentives for FATA/PATA which is adversely hurting the legitimate manufacturing business and elimination of ACDs. However, he expressed deep concern over the lack of a coherent policy framework for the chemical industry, noting that high energy costs, prolonged GST refund delays, excessive tax burden on legitimate businesses, frequent changes in Policy and misuse of Export Facilitating Scheme are deeply hurting the domestic industries providing raw materials to export oriented sectors such as textile chemicals, leather chemicals & resins etc. These impediments continue to hinder growth. He further added that elimination of 5th Schedule by 2030 will have devastating effects on local industry, especially Chemicals. The Association also expressed alarm over the expanded discretionary powers granted to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Haroon Ali Khan emphasized the need for digital reforms and taxpayer facilitation before enforcing coercive measures that could harm business confidence. PCMA also urges the government to officially designate the chemical industry as a 'strategic sector', ensuring preferential land and utility access, and to establish a one-window platform for environmental and licensing approvals, along with national R&D support programmes. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025