CM hails global recognition for Punjab’s ‘Mera Pyara’ project

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Jun, 2026) Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday expressed gratitude after the province’s Virtual Centre for Child Safety (VCCS) “Mera Pyara” project was declared a Global Champion by the United Nations-backed World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Awards 2026.

In a landmark achievement for Pakistan, two projects launched under the leadership of the chief minister secured top positions in the prestigious international competition. The “Mera Pyara” project was ranked among the world’s top five initiatives, while the Virtual Women Police Station was shortlisted among the top 20 projects globally.

Congratulating the project team, the chief minister said the recognition of two Punjab government initiatives at a United Nations forum was a matter of pride for Pakistan and reflected the province’s growing success in digital governance and public service delivery.

She said the Virtual Centre for Child Safety had set an outstanding example by handling more than 145,000 child-related cases and taking effective action in over 54,000 cases involving missing children. She described the efforts to trace and protect missing children as highly commendable.

CM Maryam Nawaz said the project had also provided assistance in cases related to child abuse, online harassment and the protection of vulnerable children. She added that the international recognition of “Mera Pyara” demonstrated global confidence in technology-driven public services and helped project a positive image of Pakistan at the international level.

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According to the WSIS report, the Virtual Centre for Child Safety has handled 145,772 cases across various categories, successfully resolving 136,157 of them. A total of 26,274 FIRs have been registered and 7,081 challans submitted to courts.

The report stated that out of 54,741 reported cases of missing or abducted children, 53,811 children were successfully traced and reunited with their families. More than 77,000 missing children have been recovered through the initiative, including around 3,000 special children.

It further revealed that rescue teams recovered 22,989 children, of whom 21,178 were immediately handed over to their families. The report noted that follow-up efforts were continuing in cases involving 930 missing and 1,811 unidentified children.

The report also documented 15,447 cases of violence and abuse against children. In response, authorities registered 5,075 FIRs, arrested 3,830 suspects and submitted challans in 4,168 cases. Additionally, 191 cases of online and digital abuse involving children were reported, resulting in 14 FIRs and the arrest of five suspects.

The initiative also addressed 4,377 cases involving differently-abled persons, of whom 2,984 were recovered and reunited with their families. Police registered 646 FIRs for their protection, while 251 affected individuals were provided shelter through the Child Protection Bureau and 14 others were accommodated at Dar-ul-Aman facilities.