LAHORE: Punjab Law Minister Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan said the provincial government has allocated record funds in the FY2026-27 budget to strengthen law and order, crime prevention and the capacity of law enforcement agencies across Punjab.

In a statement issued on June 16, the minister praised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s public safety agenda, saying the budgetary measures were aimed at improving policing, expanding surveillance infrastructure and enhancing the protection of citizens.

Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan said Rs252 billion had been allocated for police and related institutions in the upcoming fiscal year. He said the allocation reflected the Punjab government’s focus on public safety, rule of law and improved security services.

According to the minister, the CM Smart Safe Cities Project and CM Tehsils Smart Safe Cities Project are being expanded with an investment of more than Rs47 billion. The projects include advanced camera networks, data analytics platforms, command and control systems and regional data centres to improve crime prevention and security monitoring.

He said the operational capacity of the Counter Terrorism Department would also be upgraded through armored vehicles, modern surveillance equipment, anti-drone technology, advanced weapons and protective gear.

The budget also includes AI-based predictive analytics systems and a Counter Narrative and Cognitive Security Wing to support efforts against terrorism, extremism and anti-state activities, he added.

Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan said panic buttons, body-worn cameras and digital evidence recording systems would be installed at police stations, police posts and Punjab Highway Patrol units to improve transparency and evidence collection.

He said a proposal had also been included to provide 6,000 body cameras to the Traffic Police to strengthen accountability and public trust.

The minister said funds had been proposed for armored security vehicles, drones, night vision goggles, thermal imaging systems, GSM locators, modern weapons, ammunition, uniforms and the rehabilitation of police vehicles.

He added that new police stations, police posts and police pickets would be constructed at a cost of Rs2.20 billion to improve access to policing services.

Crime Scene Units are also being established in 28 districts at a cost of Rs1.421 billion to support scientific collection, preservation, analysis, storage and transfer of forensic evidence.

Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan said the initiatives would help modernize policing, strengthen the rule of law and improve public safety across Punjab.

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