The government’s efforts to improve law and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain hampered by slow progress on the Safe City Project. Originally announced for Peshawar in 2009 and Parachinar in Kurram district in 2017, these initiatives have seen little practical development. Despite millions of rupees being allocated annually, the project has remained mostly theoretical, with no significant work completed.
In Peshawar, despite setting up a dedicated unit within the KP Police under a Deputy Inspector General, progress has been minimal. “Millions are spent on office work each month, but no practical steps have been taken,” said an official. This is in stark contrast to similar projects in Islamabad and Lahore, where Safe City initiatives were completed years ago. Even several other districts in Punjab have benefitted from this technology, while Peshawar has been left behind.
Officials suggest that a more immediate solution could be the installation of a few hundred CCTV cameras at key locations in Peshawar and surrounding areas. Such a measure would be far less expensive than the full Safe City project and could significantly enhance security. These cameras could cover entry and exit points, public spaces, trade centers, and key offices, helping to prevent terrorist attacks and street crimes.
Recent successes in solving high-profile crimes through technology, including CCTV footage and mobile phone data, show the potential benefits of such surveillance systems. “CCTV cameras not only help identify culprits but also allow for monitoring suspicious movements, preventing crimes before they happen,” an official explained. Installing cameras would also improve interactions between the police and the public at checkpoints, making both sides feel more secure.
Given the financial constraints surrounding the Safe City Project, officials argue that a smaller, more focused approach using CCTV cameras could be a viable solution. The cameras would cost only a fraction of the money needed for the full project but could make a meaningful impact on public safety.
Despite large sums being allocated for the project in the past, there has been little progress. Initially, over 6,000 cameras were proposed to be installed in Peshawar to improve law enforcement and public safety. However, years of planning and meetings have yielded no results. The project remains a white elephant, costing millions with no tangible outcomes.
Authorities had planned to launch Phase-1 of the Safe City Project in Hayatabad, but like the larger project, it failed to materialize. The lack of action on this crucial security initiative highlights the inefficiency of government departments, which often prioritize power and control over the welfare of the public.
KP Government has Zero focus on Governance and Delivery. They’re a bunch of useless Imrani Cultists. Look at the state of Universities in KP, They’re Gone Bankrupt