The federal government has given the green light to a major expansion of the Islamabad Safe City Project, approving Rs 7.4 billion to extend surveillance coverage to nearly 90 percent of the capital.
Launched in 2016, the Safe City initiative was originally meant to cover just 13 police stations. But as the city has grown and security needs have become more complex, officials now plan to expand coverage to 28 police stations.
This means that more than 3,000 additional high-tech cameras will be installed across Islamabad, particularly in sensitive locations such as entry and exit points, high-crime neighborhoods, traffic choke points, and areas prone to protests and public gatherings.
Officials explained that the current system, much of which dates back almost a decade, is simply running out of steam. About 80 percent of the existing technology is nearing the end of its life cycle, from outdated facial recognition and number plate readers to failing data storage and fragmented video management.
Read more: Islamabad to install 3,100 more cameras to expand safe city system
The upgrade will replace these with a unified, modern system capable of integrating with other security and traffic networks. A backup site at the Diplomatic Enclave will also be created to ensure smooth operations, even in the event of a breakdown.
For citizens, this expansion is more than just about more cameras. It’s anticipated to bring
- Faster police response times
- Improved traffic monitoring
- Better crisis management
Real-time surveillance could assist in
- Law enforcement track suspicious vehicles
- Respond quickly to emerging situations
- Prevent incidents before they spiral out of control
A Project Implementation and Management Unit will be set up at the Central Police Office to oversee the rollout. Technical staff and police officials will work together to guarantee the system is installed and maintained properly.
While some may view it as just a technological upgrade, the project’s larger significance lies in making Islamabad much safer, smarter, and better prepared to protect both its citizens and visitors.