The Punjab government has earmarked a record Rs200 billion for the Punjab Police in the upcoming fiscal year, representing a substantial increase of over Rs14 billion compared to the previous year’s budget.
According to official sources, this heightened allocation underscores the provincial government’s commitment to modernizing law enforcement and enhancing public safety through significant technological upgrades and infrastructure development.
Key Allocations
The budget includes considerable funding across various departments of the Punjab Police:
- Rs6.54 billion has been designated for the Crime Control Department, aimed at strengthening efforts to curtail criminal activities and improve investigative capabilities.
- Rs5.95 billion has been allocated for governance and information technology, with a strong emphasis on digitization and surveillance infrastructure.
Officials stated that this funding will facilitate the completion of various Punjab Safe City projects, which are designed to bolster urban security through advanced monitoring systems and real-time response units.
Safe City & IT Initiatives
Among the technology-driven initiatives are:
- Rs1.2 billion will be directed towards the upgrading of the Lahore Safe City Project, which encompasses the installation of advanced surveillance cameras, AI-based monitoring, and enhanced communication tools for law enforcement.
- Rs2.54 billion has been allocated for the Smart Safe Cities Program, an initiative aimed at extending the Safe City model to other districts throughout Punjab.
Salaries, Allowances, and Infrastructure
A significant portion of the police budget is dedicated to personnel expenditures:
- Rs64.92 billion has been allocated for salaries, and
- Rs102.48 billion for allowances of police personnel across the province.
To support ongoing infrastructure development, Rs7.5 billion has been set aside for the construction of police buildings and other related projects, ensuring better facilities and operational spaces for officers.
