Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has reaffirmed zero tolerance for crimes against women and children, with police directed to ensure prompt FIR registration and effective investigations.
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has reaffirmed that crimes against women and children are a “red line,” signalling a stronger focus on reporting, prompt registration of cases and professional investigation rather than suppressing crime figures.
The policy comes as the Punjab government continues to emphasise zero tolerance for violence, abuse, harassment and exploitation targeting women and children. Punjab Police has also reiterated that delays in FIR registration and negligence in such cases will not be tolerated.
The chief minister has repeatedly described women and children as her “red line,” while police authorities have linked the policy to the government’s broader Safe Punjab Vision. Punjab Police says immediate action and effective investigations are being prioritised in cases involving vulnerable groups.
A major element of the approach is the emphasis on prompt FIR registration. Inspector General of Police Punjab Abdul Kareem has directed officers to address complaints involving delays in registration and citizen grievances, while police leadership has stressed that registration of cases and misconduct will not be tolerated.
The Crime Control Department, or CCD, has also been established as a specialised investigation body within Punjab Police. According to the police, the department was created to strengthen the response to serious and organised crime through dedicated resources, investigation capabilities and modern policing methods.
Supporters of the policy argue that an increase in registered FIRs should not automatically be interpreted as an increase in crime. Greater registration can also indicate that victims are finding it easier to approach law-enforcement agencies and that cases are being formally recorded rather than remaining outside official statistics.
However, claims that previous governments systematically prevented women and children from registering FIRs in order to keep official crime figures low would require independent documentary evidence before being presented as an established fact. Such allegations should therefore be attributed to their sources rather than stated as a historical certainty.
The policy also carries a political and institutional challenge. Higher reporting can make crime statistics appear worse in the short term, even when the underlying change is improved reporting and police responsiveness.
Punjab Police has said that its current strategy includes stronger monitoring, modernised investigation systems and special attention to cases involving women, children, harassment and violence. The force has also expanded mechanisms such as virtual women police stations, the Women Safety App, panic buttons and specialised investigation units.
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