More than 40,000 QR panic buttons have so far been installed in rickshaws, ride-hailing cabs and public transport vehicles across Lahore as part of a safety initiative launched on the special directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. According to Chief Traffic Officer Lahore Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi, traffic teams are installing QR panic buttons at 45 different locations across the city. Teams have also been deployed in every traffic sector to facilitate the installation process, while 12 dedicated teams have been assigned specifically for rickshaws, he added.

The initiative aims to bring public transport services into the legal framework while improving the safety and security of passengers. The installation of QR panic buttons has been made mandatory for public transport vehicles as part of efforts to strengthen emergency response and passenger protection. The Lahore traffic police have also established four new driving license centers following requests from various rickshaw unions. The new centers are intended to make licensing and other related services more accessible to rickshaw drivers.

Chief Traffic Officer Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi said the authorities were working to promote smart traffic management and modern security features across the city. He said the use of technology was helping make public transport safer, more reliable and more efficient for both passengers and drivers. He said modern tracking systems installed in online cabs had also improved the monitoring of passengers and drivers. These systems allow authorities and service providers to respond more effectively to safety concerns and emergencies.

The traffic authorities have also decided to take action against online cab services that fail to adopt the required safety and security features. The move is aimed at ensuring that all ride-hailing services operating in the city meet basic passenger safety standards. Shirazi said technology-based measures were contributing to a significant improvement in traffic discipline and public safety.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)