Peshawar gets Safe City Project at last

After 17-year delay, AI surveillance network goes live; expansion to three districts announced

PESHAWAR:

After a delay of 17 years, the much-anticipated Safe City Project in Peshawar has been formally inaugurated, ushering in a new era of technology-driven law enforcement for the provincial capital.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, who described the milestone as a significant achievement for public safety and modern policing in the province.

In its initial phase, the project has installed approximately 700 to 750 state-of-the-art surveillance cameras at 130 key locations across the city. Special monitoring systems have been activated at entry and exit points, while vehicle tracking, e-challan issuance for traffic violations, and AI-equipped cameras have been integrated into the network. These features are expected to enable rapid detection of traffic infractions and criminal activities.

A modern control room has been established at Police Lines Peshawar, operating 24/7 to oversee real-time citywide surveillance.

Chief Minister described the formal launch of the Safe City project in Peshawar as a day of immense joy and pride, fulfilling the vision of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the chief minister announced that Safe City initiatives in Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Dera Ismail Khan would be completed within the next 40 to 45 days.

This expansion aims to strengthen security systems in the province's sensitive districts.

He acknowledged that security conditions remain unsatisfactory in many areas, citing a recent tragic incident in Balochistan as deeply regrettable. Paying tribute to the K-P police for foiling a major terrorist attack, he praised their frontline role in safeguarding the public despite challenging circumstances.

The chief minister revealed that his discussions with federal representatives focused on a single agenda: prioritizing state and political interests to prevent a deterioration of the situation. He proposed sending a delegation comprising representatives from the K-P government, tribal elders, and federal authorities to Afghanistan for direct talks to resolve outstanding issues.