RAWALPINDI: In order to boost surveillance and keep a “vigilant eye” on criminal activities in Rawalpindi, the Punjab government has decided to enter into an agreement with the Safe City Authority to install closed-circuit cameras in the garrison city after the approval of the federal government.

The project will cost Rs23 billion and an agreement to this effect will be signed between the Safe City Authority and the district administration after the nod from the Centre which will bear the cost of the project alongside the provincial government.

In a meeting with Commissioner Saqib Manan, the Safe City officials said the project would help the police and the local administration in traffic signal management besides vehicle surveillance and tracking.

They said the project would play a key role in ensuring security during Muharram, Eid Miladun Nabi and other public events of sensitive nature.

Punjab govt awaiting Centre’s nod, cameras to be installed at over 1,000 spots

According to officials, the Punjab Safe City Authority will install cameras in more than 1,000 locations for surveillance after a comprehensive survey.

These cameras will cover public institutions, key infrastructure, roads, VVIP routes and the entry and exit points of the city.

The control and command centre which will be established at the City Police Office will be a consolidated hub of integrated policing.

It will regulate swift emergency and police responses, such as intelligent traffic management, dispatch of police units, Rescue 1122 response, criminal identification, and virtual surveillance.

The commissioner said that the administration will soon sign an agreement with the Punjab Safe City Authority and in this regard, the process would be started soon.

Mr Manan told Dawn that the total cost of the project for the garrison city was Rs23 billion and it will help the police and district administration manage the law and order situation.

According to the official, after the completion of the project, there would not be any need for the district administration to rent cameras to monitor sensitive events, such as cricket matches, public rallies, and processions.

He said that the safe city authority also informed that it would help to keep a close eye on the movement of the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company and other official vehicles for efficiency.

On the other hand, a senior official of the police was of the view that the project would be started after the final approval of the federal government, as the Centre and the province would bear the cost of the mega project.

He said that the Punjab government requested the federal government to provide funds for the project.

The official said the command and control will be established at the CPO office and the construction work at the police office, currently on halt, will resume after the approval of the project.

An official of the district administration told Dawn that as the provincial government was planning the Safe City project for the garrison city, the administration did not install cameras in the district courts and other areas to save money.

He insisted that there was a dire need to start the project in the garrison city for surveillance purposes.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2022