Sindh approves Karachi Safe City Phase-II

Over 2,300 smart cameras to be installed as govt moves to boost surveillance

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday approved Phase-II of the Karachi Safe City Project, aimed at strengthening urban security, surveillance and the operational capacity of law enforcement agencies.

Chairing a meeting of the Sindh Safe Cities Authority at the Chief Minister's House, he said ensuring public safety through modern technology remained the government's top priority.

The meeting was informed that a total of 2,314 smart surveillance cameras would be installed under the project, including 870 for general monitoring, 1,300 equipped with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and facial recognition, 80 for traffic enforcement, 56 mobile surveillance units, and eight dedicated to traffic signal monitoring.

The cameras will be installed across Karachi's districts, significantly expanding the city's monitoring network.

The project, estimated to cost Rs9.98 billion, is expected to be completed within 12 months, with work likely to begin in May 2026. The infrastructure will include nine Points of Presence (PoP) sites with solar and generator backup, a smart surveillance tower, 50 public panic buttons linked to a central command system, eight response vehicles equipped with onboard cameras, and 10 surveillance drones.

The chief minister said over Rs1 billion had been saved during the procurement process through negotiations, reflecting financial discipline without compromising on quality. He termed the initiative a critical investment in public safety and national security.

He directed authorities to expedite approvals and ensure timely completion, warning that delays could lead to cost escalation, particularly amid rising global prices of surveillance equipment.

To strengthen operational readiness, the SSCA has completed a transparent recruitment process for technical staff through multi-stage, merit-based evaluations. The chief minister approved the appointments under the SSCA Act.

The meeting also reviewed proposals to establish Safe City projects in divisional headquarters including Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas and Shaheed Benazirabad, at an estimated cost of Rs3.15 billion, involving installation of 780 cameras. It was decided to refer the proposals to the planning and development department for further review.

Emphasising integration, the chief minister said all Safe City initiatives should operate under a unified SSCA framework to ensure standardisation, avoid duplication and enhance institutional coordination.

He added that the project would not only improve crime prevention and response but also strengthen traffic management and emergency services, contributing to making Karachi a safer and more resilient city.

The meeting was attended by Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, along with senior officials and lawmakers.