KP Introduces “Pink Button” Alert System for Women’s Safety

In a bid to strengthen women’s security, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Police has unveiled a new emergency alert system called the “Pink Button.”

According to the Central Police Office, the project will begin in Peshawar with the installation of 68 Pink Buttons at women-focused markets, shopping centers, and around educational institutions. The system is designed to provide women and other citizens with immediate access to police assistance.

Each device is directly linked to the Police Control Room and transmits both live video and audio of the complainant, enabling rapid action by law enforcement teams. Police officials believe the initiative will help curb harassment and ensure quick response during emergencies.

This move follows similar efforts in Punjab, where the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has launched panic button services in Lahore on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. In the first phase, 39 women’s colleges and universities have been equipped, with plans to expand the facility to more than 450 educational institutions across the province.

A PSCA spokesperson explained that the panic buttons are connected to the authority’s central control room and the Virtual Women Police Station. Pressing the button triggers an instant alert, dispatching police teams to the location. The system is particularly useful in situations where students are unable to use mobile phones.

Currently, panic buttons are active at 122 locations in Lahore and 101 in other cities. Expanding them into educational campuses, the spokesperson added, represents a significant step toward building a safer learning environment and reinforcing women’s security infrastructure in Punjab.