ISLAMABAD: The federal government has approved a major expansion of the Islamabad Safe City Project to cover about 90% of the federal capital at a cost of Rs7.4 billion, according to a private news outlet.
Under the approved PC-I, Rs7.23 billion has been allocated for technology, Rs13.6 million for staff salaries, Rs31.16 million for utilities, Rs144.68 million for consultancy, Rs1.4 million for internet connectivity, and Rs74.25 million as contingency funds.
The Safe City Project was first launched in 2016 at a cost of Rs6 billion and handed over to the Islamabad Police in 2019. Initially, it was designed to cover 13 police stations, but the upgraded project will now extend coverage to 28 police stations.
Outdated System to Be Replaced:
Officials said the current system is nearing the end of its life, with 80% of the equipment outdated and many cameras no longer functioning properly. The video management system is fragmented, relying on multiple old technologies.
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The upgrade will introduce a unified video management system for seamless integration, making surveillance more efficient and improving coordination with other security and traffic systems.
The ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) system, which uses Huawei cameras, is partially functional but lacks proper violation detection and integration with the e-challan system. Similarly, the facial recognition system is unreliable and lacks real-time blacklisting capabilities, making swift identification and action difficult.
The data centre is also outdated, with critical infrastructure such as UPS batteries, cooling units, and server hardware at risk of failure. Authorities plan to set up a backup site at Diplomatic Enclave to ensure data recovery and smooth operations in case of system breakdowns.
Over 3,100 New Cameras to Be Installed:
As part of the expansion, 3,187 new high-tech cameras will be installed. Most of these will cover new locations, while some will replace old, low-quality cameras.
The cameras will be placed at:
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Entry and exit points of the city
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High-value premises
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Crime-prone areas
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Protest and procession routes
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Traffic congestion points
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Public security locations and crossings
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These installations aim to improve public safety, enable real-time traffic monitoring, reduce terrorism risks, and speed up police response to incidents. The system will also support intelligent traffic management and crisis response.
Management and Supervision
A Project Implementation and Management Unit (PIMU) will be established at the Central Police Office under the supervision of the Inspector General of Police. It will include police officials, co-opted members, and technical experts to ensure smooth implementation of the upgraded system.
Officials believe that the upgraded Safe City Project will play a crucial role in crime prevention, emergency management, and enhancing security for both citizens and visitors in the federal capital.
