CM launches S4 project for enhanced surveillance

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday inaugurated the Sindh Smart Surveillance System (S4) project to provide integrated security at major entry and exit points in the province.

The system includes facial and number plate recognition at 40 toll plazas, 18 of which are in Karachi, enhancing security responses and integrating with the Command & Control Centre (CCC) at the Chief Police Office (CPO) Karachi.

The inauguration at the CPO was attended by Sindh Ministers Saeed Ghani and Zulfiqar Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, senior officers, and civil society members.

CM Shah highlighted that the S4 Project aims to arrest over 80,000 absconding criminals and reduce vehicular crime. The system assists in identifying suspects, locating stolen vehicles, and improving public safety and traffic management. The CM stated that Rs1.567 billion was approved in 2022-23 for procuring the ANPR Camera System through a direct contract with NRTC.  He emphasised the government’s commitment to establishing a crime-free society and controlling the crime rate, which had increased during the caretaker government.

CM Shah also criticised the spread of fake news, urging responsible behaviour from citizens and the media. Following the inauguration, the CM visited the Command & Control Centre and received a briefing on the implementation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and Face Recognition (FR) based smart surveillance at all listed toll plazas. Key components include ANPR Cameras: 9MP night vision cameras for recognising number plates; FR Cameras: 8MP night vision cameras for recognising driver and co-driver faces; power solutions: solar power with 8-10 hours of battery backup and Gensets at all toll plazas; Command & Control Room: renovation for central monitoring; AI Tools: deployment of AI and analytical tools; CAD System: Computer Aided Dispatch for quick response; Connectivity: ensuring uninterrupted communication at each toll plaza.

Behbood-e-Jawan Health Insurance

CM Shah announced a comprehensive health insurance scheme for 127,482 police employees and jawans, with a Rs4.9 billion outlay. Each family has a basic hospitalization limit of Rs1 million and a room limit of Rs10,000.

A Rs1 billion medical extension pool is available for cases exceeding the initial limit. The insurance covers pre- and post-hospitalisation charges, delivery charges, and includes dependents.

IG Sindh Police Ghulam Nabi Memon stated that each employee will receive a health insurance card, with 5% admin charges applied to the utilised and unutilised amounts reimbursed after tax deductions.