LAHORE, May 06 (APP): The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has announced a major crackdown against individuals making fake, hoax, and irrelevant calls to the Emergency Helpline 15. This decision follows the receipt of over 724,000 such calls in April 2026 alone.
Alarming Rise in Misuse
According to a PSCA spokesperson, these unnecessary calls are blocking the helpline and delaying responses to genuine emergencies. Authorities have already identified the top 150 repeat hoax callers and initiated legal proceedings against them.
The spokesperson described the situation as alarming, noting that fake calls keep emergency lines engaged, potentially putting lives at risk when real help is needed urgently. PSCA is also issuing callback warnings to around 200 irrelevant callers every month to promote responsible usage of the service.
Legal Action and Public Appeal
The spokesperson clarified that Emergency Helpline 15 is a free public service provided by the Punjab government. Misusing it is a punishable offence under the law, and strict action will be taken against violators.
PSCA appealed to citizens to use the helpline only for real emergencies so that prompt assistance can be provided to those truly in need. The authority remains fully operational round the clock, using modern technology to ensure quick response times.
This initiative aims to restore the efficiency of the emergency response system across Punjab. Officials hope that awareness and strict enforcement will significantly reduce hoax calls and strengthen the overall safety network in the province.