Safe city project under the microscope

IHC summons police officer in charge of Safe City Project in Islamabad to explain the poor performance of the system

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday summoned the police officer in charge of the Safe City Project in the federal capital to explain the poor performance of the system.

This was directed as the court heard a petition filed by Professor Sharif regarding the disappearance of his son Suleman Farooq, who had gone missing from within the remits of the Lohi Bher police station.

The bench led by Justice Mohsin Akthar Kiyani remarked that the Safe City Project had been set up at a cost of more than Rs7.5 billion but it had no benefit, noting that the cameras could not clearly show the number plates of vehicles.

A police representative stated that the vehicle used in this particular crime had no number plate. At this, Justice Kiyani remarked what was the police doing and why were pickets not put up in the area. The justice remarked that people are at times abducted by people impersonating police officers.

The court ordered the assistant attorney general and the Lohi Bher station house officer (SHO) to inform the defence secretary regarding the missing person's case.

The court sought a reply from the Interior Ministry and other respondents by January 10.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2019.