In an effort to improve public safety and strengthen law enforcement, the Punjab Home Department has decided to implement electronic tagging for repeat offenders, according to a report by ARY News.
The decision was made during a high-level meeting led by Punjab Home Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal. The initiative is designed to bolster surveillance efforts and enhance law and order throughout the province.
As part of this strategy, electronic monitoring devices will be used to track the movements of habitual offenders and individuals listed on the Fourth Schedule in real time.
Initially, 1,500 tracking devices will be distributed among various security agencies. The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) will receive 900, the Parole Department will be allocated 100, and the Crime Control Department will be provided with 500 devices.
These electronic bands are designed for around-the-clock monitoring, giving law enforcement agencies the ability to keep a continuous watch on individuals with a criminal history.
In a related development, the Sindh government is also moving forward with similar measures. Under the Sindh Habitual Offenders Monitoring Act, 2022, the province plans to monitor 4,000 repeat offenders through electronic tagging in its initial phase.
Sindh Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon chaired a meeting at the Central Police Office (CPO) in Karachi, where it was revealed that the identification and tracking of habitual criminals will be determined by the judiciary. An advertisement for procuring the e-tagging devices was issued on November 11.
The program in Sindh will begin at the police station level and gradually extend to other administrative divisions and zones across the province.
IGP Memon emphasized that the legal framework clearly defines habitual offenders and urged all senior police officials and investigators to ensure accurate record-keeping and active monitoring of individuals in custody.