The federal government has approved a Rs. 7.4 billion project to expand the Safe City surveillance system, extending its coverage to nearly 90 percent of Islamabad.
According to official documents, most of the budget — about Rs. 7.23 billion — has been allocated for technology upgrades, while the rest will cover consultancy, staff salaries, utilities, and contingency costs.
Launched in 2016 for Rs. 6 billion, the Safe City Project was handed over to the Islamabad police in 2019. Initially, it covered 13 police stations, but the expansion will bring the number up to 28. Officials said the upgrade is critical, as 80 percent of the existing system, including cameras, data centers, and storage units, is nearing the end of its shelf life.
The new plan calls for replacing outdated systems with a unified video management setup, high-resolution cameras, upgraded facial recognition tools, and improved number plate recognition. Around 3,187 advanced cameras will be installed at key points such as entry and exit routes, sensitive areas, protest sites, and traffic choke points.
A backup site will also be created at the Diplomatic Enclave to ensure data recovery in case of system failure. Authorities say the upgrade will improve crime prevention, crisis management, and traffic monitoring, while ensuring faster response times to emergencies.