Punjab’s Mera Pyara project has been declared a Global Champion in the United Nations-backed World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Awards 2026.

Two projects launched in the province have been included in the top rankings of the WSIS. The Virtual Centre for Child Safety (VCCS) ‘Mera Pyara’ project has been ranked among the world’s top five initiatives, while the Virtual Women Police Station has been shortlisted among the top 20 projects globally.

The inclusion has made Pakistan the only country with two shortlisted projects in the WSIS.

Congratulating the Mera Pyara project team, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the recognition reflected the province’s progress in digital governance and public service delivery.

She said the Virtual Centre for Child Safety had also provided assistance in cases related to child abuse, online harassment and the protection of vulnerable children.

According to the WSIS report, the Virtual Centre for Child Safety has dealt with over 145,772 cases of various categories, of which 136,157 have been successfully resolved. A total of 26,274 first information reports (FIRs) have been registered, while 7,081 challans have been submitted to courts. The report stated that of the 54,741 reported cases of missing or abducted children, 53,811 children were traced and reunited with their families. More than 77,000 missing children have been recovered, including around 3,000 special children.

Rescue teams recovered 22,989 children, of whom 21,178 were immediately handed over to their families.