Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah speaks during a press conference on Wednesday. Photo: NNI
KARACHI:
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday approved Phase II of Karachi Safe City Project aimed at strengthening urban security, surveillance and operational capacity of law enforcement agencies.
Chairing a meeting of the Sindh Safe Cities Authority at the Chief Minister House, he said ensuring public safety through modern technology remained the top priority of the government.
The meeting was informed that a total of 2,314 smart surveillance cameras would be installed under the project, including 870 for general surveillance, 1,300 equipped with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and facial recognition, 80 for traffic control, 56 mobile surveillance units and eight dedicated for traffic signal monitoring.
The cameras will be installed in all districts of Karachi, significantly expanding the city’s surveillance network.
The project, which will cost Rs 9,980 crore, is expected to be completed in 12 months and work is likely to begin in May 2026. The infrastructure will include nine point-of-presence (PoP) sites with generator and solar power backup, a smart surveillance tower, 50 public panic buttons linked to a central command system, eight response vehicles equipped with on-board cameras and 10 surveillance drones.
The prime minister said over Rs 1 billion had been saved during the procurement process through negotiations, reflecting financial discipline without compromising on quality. He called the initiative a critical investment in public safety and national security.
It ordered authorities to expedite approvals and ensure timely completion, warning that delays could lead to escalating costs, particularly amid rising global prices for surveillance equipment.
To strengthen operational readiness, the SSCA has completed a transparent recruitment process for technical personnel through multi-stage merit-based assessments. The Prime Minister approved the appointments under the SSCA Act.
The meeting also discussed proposals to set up Safe City projects in divisional headquarters, including Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas and Shaheed Benazirabad, at an estimated cost of Rs 3,150 crore and involving installation of 780 cameras. It was decided to forward the proposals to the planning and development department for further review.
Emphasizing on integration, the Chief Minister said all Safe Cities initiatives should operate under a unified SSCA framework to ensure standardization, avoid duplication and improve institutional coordination.
He added that the project would not only improve crime prevention and response, but also strengthen traffic management and emergency services, helping to make 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 legislators.
