Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has approved Phase-II of the Karachi Safe City Project, marking a significant advancement in urban security and law enforcement capabilities across the city. The initiative includes the deployment of over 2,300 advanced surveillance cameras and a comprehensive monitoring infrastructure.
During a meeting of the Sindh Safe Cities Authority (SSCA) at the Chief Minister’s House, Murad Ali Shah emphasized that public safety through cutting-edge technology remains a key priority for his administration. The project plans to install a total of 2,314 smart cameras, comprising 870 for general surveillance, 1,300 equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and facial recognition technology, 80 dedicated to traffic enforcement, 56 mobile surveillance units, and 8 cameras focused on traffic signal monitoring.
These devices will be strategically positioned throughout Karachi’s districts, with District South receiving the highest number at 322 cameras, followed by East with 220, Korangi 27, Keamari 17, Malir 16, and West 1. This expansion will significantly enhance the city’s surveillance network.
The project, valued at approximately Rs9.98 billion, is slated for completion within 12 months, with work set to begin in May 2026. Infrastructure upgrades will include nine Points of Presence (PoP) sites equipped with solar and generator backups, a smart surveillance tower, 50 public panic buttons connected to a central command system, eight response vehicles outfitted with onboard cameras, and 10 surveillance drones.
Murad Ali Shah highlighted that the government secured cost savings exceeding Rs1 billion through effective procurement negotiations, reflecting fiscal responsibility without compromising quality. He described the initiative as a vital investment in public safety and national security rather than merely a development project.
The chief minister instructed authorities to fast-track approvals and ensure the project’s timely execution, cautioning that delays could inflate costs due to rising global prices of surveillance equipment.
To bolster operational readiness, the SSCA has completed a transparent recruitment process for technical staff, employing a multi-stage, merit-based evaluation overseen by expert panels and committees. Murad Ali Shah approved proceeding with these appointments under the SSCA Act.
In a related development, proposals for Safe City projects in other divisional headquarters—Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and Shaheed Benazirabad—were reviewed. These projects, estimated at Rs3.15 billion with 780 cameras planned, will be submitted to the Planning and Development Department for further assessment.
The chief minister stressed the importance of integrating all Safe City initiatives within a unified SSCA framework to standardize operations, prevent duplication, and improve coordination. He warned that fragmented systems undermine effectiveness, underscoring the goal of a fully integrated command and control network across Sindh.
Reaffirming his government’s dedication, Murad Ali Shah stated that the Safe City program will not only enhance crime prevention and emergency response but also improve traffic management, ultimately making Karachi a safer and more resilient metropolis.
The meeting was attended by Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, IG Police Javed Odho, PSCM Agha Wasif, Secretary Home Iqbal Memon, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Secretary Excise Saleem Rajput, DG SSCA Sarfraz Nawaz, Agha Fakhar, DG PDMA Salman Shah, and MPAs Syed Sarfraz Shah, Ali Hassan Hingorjo, Sumta Afzal, Humaira Faraz, among others.
