Punjab Government Approves Dedicated Anti-Drone Unit and Cybercrime Cell, In a landmark move to enhance provincial security, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has officially approved the establishment of Punjab’s first-ever Anti-Drone Unit and a dedicated Cybercrime Cell. The decision was made during the Chief Minister’s visit to the newly launched Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre (PIFTAC) in Lahore.
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Countering Aerial Threats: The Anti-Drone Unit
With the increasing use of drone technology for illegal surveillance and smuggling, the Punjab government has prioritized the creation of an Anti-Drone Unit. This unit will be equipped with state-of-the-art jamming and interception technology to neutralize unauthorized aerial threats across the province, particularly in sensitive zones.
Combatting Digital Crime: New Cybercrime Wing
Recognizing the rapid rise in online fraud, harassment, and data breaches, the Chief Minister directed the immediate establishment of a specialized Cybercrime Cell.
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AI-Powered Security: An Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub will be established within PIFTAC to support the cybercrime cell in real-time threat analysis and forensic investigations.
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Proactive Defense: The unit will focus on a “pre-emptive” strategy—detecting and neutralizing digital threats before they can cause harm to citizens or provincial infrastructure.
PIFTAC: A Tech-Driven Security Milestone
Punjab has become the first province in Pakistan to establish the Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre (PIFTAC). This center acts as a centralized brain for provincial law enforcement, integrating data from various agencies to provide a unified security picture.
Other key security directives issued during the visit include:
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Advanced Scanners: Immediate installation of high-tech digital scanners at all provincial entry and exit points.
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DC Dashboards: A centralized digital dashboard for all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to monitor law and order and essential commodity prices in real-time.
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Whistleblower System: Strengthening the whistleblower framework to encourage citizens to report criminal and terrorist activities safely.
The Safest Province Goal
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized that the government is shifting from a “reactive” to a “proactive” security model. “Our goal is to make Punjab the safest province in Pakistan by utilizing every available technological resource to protect the lives and property of our citizens,” she stated during the briefing.
