For women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a simple trip to the market or university can often be shadowed by the fear of harassment or insecurity. To tackle this reality, the KP Police has launched a new initiative that blends technology with public safety — the “Pink Button” emergency alert system.
The project, which will first be rolled out in Peshawar, includes the installation of 68 Pink Buttons in areas where women are most at risk — shopping centers, women-focused markets, and educational institutions. The idea is straightforward but powerful: if a woman feels threatened or faces harassment, she can press the button to send an instant alert to the Police Control Room.
What makes the system more effective is its built-in technology. Each device not only connects directly to the police but also transmits live video and audio of the complainant’s surroundings. This means that law enforcement can glance and hear what is happening in real time, permitting for a faster and more targeted response.
Police officials keep on hoping that this initiative will give women the confidence to move freely in public spaces. “Our main purpose is to ensure that no woman feels alone or helpless when she needs assistance the most,” said one senior officer involved in the project.
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The move emerges as a component of a broader trend in Pakistan. In Punjab, the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has already rolled out panic button services in Lahore on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. In its first phase, 39 women’s colleges and universities were equipped, with plans to expand the facility to more than 450 campuses.
These panic buttons are directly linked to the PSCA’s central control room and the Virtual Women Police Station. Once pressed, an alert is immediately dispatched, and a police team is sent to the location. Officials kept on pointing out that the system is especially important in situations where students or victims may not be able to make a phone call.
Currently, Punjab has installed various panic buttons at 122 locations in Lahore and 101 across other cities. Extending this system into educational institutions is considered as a major step for establishing safer spaces for women, both in Punjab and now in KP.
For many women, the Pink Button depicts more than just a piece of technology. It is a promise of safety — and a signal that society is beginning to take their concerns more seriously.