Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah chaired a high-level meeting on Monday to review the progress of the Karachi Safe City Project (Phase I) and approved the proposed framework for Phase II, directing authorities to accelerate work to ensure the timely completion of the flagship public safety initiative.
The meeting, held at the CM House, was attended by Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Home Secretary Iqbal Memon, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon, Planning and Development Board Chairman Najam Shah, Safe City Authority Director General Asif Aijaz Shaikh, and other senior officials.
Officials briefed the CM that Phase I of the Karachi Safe City Project — launched on May 31, 2024 — is on track for completion by November 30, 2025. The first phase involves setting up an advanced AI-enabled surveillance system, including high-resolution CCTV cameras, command and control centres, and integration with law enforcement databases for improved crime prevention, traffic regulation, and emergency response.
The meeting was informed that significant progress had been made, with the installation of cameras, poles, POP sites, servers, and data storage systems completed. Command and control facilities have already been established, while analytical tools for facial recognition, vehicle tracking, and real-time monitoring are being integrated.
The home department further reported that 12 emergency response vehicles (ERVs) are currently active and linked to the main command centre to ensure faster on-ground operations.
Reviewing the Phase II proposal, CM Murad approved the plan to expand surveillance coverage to more districts, including South, East, and Malir, focusing on both commercial hubs and high-risk areas such as DHA.
Phase II will include the deployment of 4,750 cameras, upgrading of 1,750 existing units, and installation of 3,000 new intelligent traffic system (ITS) cameras to support electronic ticketing (e-Challan) through the Traffic Accident and Control System (TRACS).
The Command and Control Centre at the Central Police Office will be upgraded to handle data from 6,000 cameras, while two regional command centres will be set up at the South DIG office and Civic Centre, managing surveillance in key districts.
The upgraded system will feature computer-aided dispatch (CAD), a modern call centre, 3D monitoring dashboards, and advanced analytics tools such as AcuSeek, enabling real-time decision-making.
The CM directed the Safe City Authority to establish robust network connectivity for uninterrupted data transmission and link the system with key databases — including criminal records, vehicle registrations, and NADRA data — to enhance smart policing.
He stressed that no compromise would be tolerated on the quality or completion deadlines, calling the project “a transformative step toward secure and smart urban governance.”
The CM also discussed budget allocations, staffing, and operational logistics for the upcoming phase. He instructed the finance and home departments to finalise the project’s financial model and remove any administrative bottlenecks to ensure smooth execution.
“Karachi is Pakistan’s economic engine, and ensuring the safety of its people and infrastructure is our top priority,” said Murad Ali Shah. “The Safe City Project is not merely a surveillance effort — it’s a complete urban management and security system designed to modernise policing and emergency response.”
Concluding the session, the CM ordered all departments to submit updated progress reports and policy recommendations to guarantee a seamless transition from Phase I to Phase II. He further directed that the Safe City Authority be empowered with clear operational protocols in coordination with the police and other law enforcement agencies.