KARACHI – In a major move to bolster urban security and crime prevention, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has formally approved Phase 2 of the Karachi Safe City Project. Under this phase, over 2,300 high-tech smart cameras will be deployed across the metropolis to enhance surveillance and law enforcement capabilities.
Project Breakdown and Technology
The approval was granted during a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, attended by Provincial Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, and IG Police Javed Odho. According to the briefing, the Rs. 9.98 billion project includes 1,300 cameras equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and Facial Recognition, 870 cameras for general surveillance, 80 units for traffic enforcement, 8 for traffic signal monitoring, 56 mobile surveillance units, 10 surveillance drones, and 50 public panic buttons for emergency assistance.
District-Wise Deployment
The installation will be distributed across various districts to ensure maximum coverage. District South will receive 322 cameras, District East 220, Korangi 27, Keamari 17, Malir 16, and District West 1 camera.
Timeline and Infrastructure
The project is set to officially commence in May 2026 and is expected to be completed within 12 months. To ensure uninterrupted operations, the infrastructure will include solar and generator backups, along with 9 Points of Presence (PoPs) and 8 response vehicles.
“Public safety is our top priority. This is not just a development project but a vital investment in national security,” stated CM Murad Ali Shah. He further directed the Sindh Safe City Authority to ensure merit-based recruitment of technical staff and emphasized that timely completion is crucial to avoid cost overruns.
Expansion to Other Cities
The Chief Minister also discussed extending the Safe City model to other major divisions, including Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and Shaheed Benazirabad. A proposal to install 780 cameras in these cities at a cost of Rs. 3.15 billion is under consideration. The Sindh government aims to integrate all regional projects into a centralized command and control system under the Sindh Safe Cities Authority to transform Karachi into a peaceful and technologically advanced economic hub.
