'12,000 CCTV cameras to be installed'

KARACHI:

City police chief AIG Javed Alam Odho has assured businessmen and industrialist that he is coordinating with local bodies to tackle problems arising from damaged roads due to monsoon rains.

While speaking at a function organised by the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) on Wednesday, he said that 12,000 CCTV cameras are being installed across Karachi as part of the Safe City Project.

"Of these, 4,500 cameras have been set up through a public-private partnership, while 6,500 existing cameras will be upgraded," he added. "The installation of the 12,000 cameras is expected to be completed within two years."

Addressing concerns about the Korangi Industrial Area, AIG Odho directed local police to conduct regular raids on illegal makeshift roadside tea-stalls, which are suspected of harbouring criminal elements. He also called for increased police patrolling in banks and commercial areas and urged improved communication to address heavy traffic issues in Korangi.

The city police chief stressed the need for more CCTV cameras and traffic awareness programs for children in educational institutions. He proposed the establishment of a 'friends of police' organisation to support the families of fallen police officers and assist notable figures like Shaheer Afridi of the Sindh police, who is currently facing sponsorship challenges.