In a world where technology is changing how governments serve people, real success is not just about digital systems, it is about how those systems improve human lives. In Pakistan, one initiative stands out in this journey: Mera Pyara – Virtual Center for Child Safety, launched by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA).
This platform was created with a clear and powerful purpose: to protect missing and vulnerable children and reunite them with their families as quickly as possible. Over time, Mera Pyara has grown into one of the most advanced child safety systems in the country, showing how technology, when used wisely, can solve real social problems.
A Needed Solution to a Serious Problem
For many years, Pakistan has faced challenges related to missing children, abandoned individuals, and cases of abuse or neglect. Earlier, these cases were handled through separate systems. Different departments worked independently, which often caused delays, confusion, and slower recovery of missing children.
Mera Pyara changed this approach completely. It introduced a single, centralized digital system that connects all relevant departments and organizations. Instead of working in isolation, law enforcement agencies, welfare institutions, hospitals, shelter homes, and citizens now work together through one platform.
This has turned a complicated process into a fast, organized, and coordinated system, making it easier to locate and recover lost children.
Today, Mera Pyara works as a 24/7 national child safety network, accessible through helpline 15, WhatsApp 0309-0000015, mobile applications, social media platforms, and its official website. This ensures that help is always available, anytime and anywhere.
Strong Impact at a National Level
The results achieved by Mera Pyara in a short period are remarkable. In just 19 months, the platform has handled more than 125,000 cases, showing both the scale of the issue and the strength of the system built to address it.
Out of these cases:
- Around 67,000 cases involved missing children, senior citizens citizens, and persons with disabilities
- More than 64,000 individuals were successfully reunited with their families
These are not just numbers, they represent real people, real families, and emotional reunions that were once uncertain but became possible through timely action.
The platform has also played a major role in handling sensitive protection cases:
- Around 58,000 cases were related to child abuse, domestic violence, digital harassment, and exploitation
- About 53,000 cases were successfully resolved, ensuring safety and justice for victims
These achievements show that Mera Pyara is not only about finding lost children but also about protecting vulnerable children and responding to serious social issues.
Smart Use of Modern Technology
One of the strongest features of Mera Pyara is its use of modern technology in a practical and meaningful way.
The system uses tools such as:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) based facial recognition
- Digital image matching systems
- Location and tracking analysis
- Real-time centralized data monitoring
These tools help identify children even when they cannot communicate their identity, for example, young children or persons with special needs.
The system compares images, matches data, and helps authorities reach families faster. This reduces time and increases the chances of a successful reunion.
What makes this system truly effective is not just the technology itself, but the way it is used, with a clear focus on helping people and solving real-life problems quickly and efficiently.
Public Participation and Awareness
Mera Pyara is not only a government system, it is also a public-driven initiative. Citizens play an important role in helping locate missing individuals.
The platform actively uses:
- Social media awareness campaigns
- Digital posts of lost children
- Public alerts and outreach messages
In many cases, families have identified their loved ones through social media posts shared by the platform. These quick responses have helped bring many missing children back home safely.
This approach has turned ordinary citizens into active participants in child safety. It has created a community-based support system, where everyone contributes to protecting vulnerable people.
Strong Collaboration Between Institutions
Another important strength of Mera Pyara is its strong network of collaboration.
The platform works closely with several organizations, including:
- Child Protection and Welfare Bureaus
- Edhi Foundation and other welfare organizations
- Shelter homes, orphanages, and care centers
- Hospitals and rehabilitation centers
- Law enforcement agencies such as the Punjab Police, Sindh Police, Motorway Police, Railway Police, and Punjab Highway Patrol
This cooperation ensures that every case is handled quickly and efficiently. It also reduces delays and improves coordination between departments.
As a result, the entire system works as one connected network rather than separate units, which significantly improves performance and outcomes.
International Recognition and Achievements
The success of Mera Pyara has also been recognized at the global level.
The initiative has been selected among the Top 20 E-Government Projects worldwide at the WSIS Awards 2026 (World Summit on the Information Society). This is a major international recognition supported by the United Nations, which evaluates digital projects based on innovation, impact, and sustainability.
This achievement highlights that:
- The platform has a strong real-world impact
- It uses technology in an innovative way
- It is a sustainable and scalable solution
- It addresses important social challenges effectively
For Pakistan, this recognition is a proud moment, showing that local innovation can reach global standards.
Recognition in Global Law Enforcement Forums
Mera Pyara was also presented at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference 2025, one of the most respected global platforms for law enforcement professionals.
At this event, the initiative was recognized as a modern model for integrating technology into policing and child protection systems.
It demonstrated how digital tools, when combined with strong coordination, can improve public safety and support law enforcement agencies in handling sensitive cases more effectively.
A Model That Can Be Used Globally
One of the most important achievements of Mera Pyara is that it is not limited to Pakistan. The system is designed in a way that it can be adapted and used in other countries as well.
It shows that:
- Technology can solve social problems when used correctly
- Different organizations can work together effectively through digital systems
- Public participation can strengthen safety networks
- Digital platforms can be both efficient and humane
Because of this, Mera Pyara is now seen as a replicable global model for child protection and lost children recovery systems.
Conclusion: A System Built on Hope and Humanity
Mera Pyara – Virtual Center for Child Safety is more than just a digital platform. It is a lifeline for thousands of families across Pakistan. With over 125,000 cases handled, tens of thousands of successful reunions, and thousands of lives protected, it has created a real and lasting impact.
Its recognition at WSIS 2026 and IACP 2025 further proves its importance on the global stage.
At its heart, the mission of Mera Pyara remains simple yet powerful:
to ensure that every missing and vulnerable child is safely found and protected, and that every family continues to hold hope for reunion.