KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has given the go-ahead for the second phase of the Karachi Safe City Project.
A high-level meeting to review the Karachi Safe City Phase-II was held in Karachi on Friday, with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah presiding. The session was attended by Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, IG Police Javed Odho, and other key officials.
During the meeting, CM Murad emphasized the critical role of the Safe City Project in enhancing public safety and curbing crime. He reiterated that safeguarding citizens’ lives and property is a fundamental duty of the government.
The Chief Minister highlighted that leveraging modern technology would make security measures more efficient and impactful. He stated that the project would strengthen the surveillance infrastructure and improve the operational capacity of law enforcement agencies across the city.
Murad Ali Shah stressed that adopting advanced technological solutions is essential in today’s era. The meeting received a detailed briefing on the project’s progress and plans.
According to the presentation, over 2,300 smart cameras will be installed citywide under Phase II. Of these, 870 will serve general surveillance purposes, 1,300 will feature automatic number plate recognition and facial recognition capabilities, while 80 will be designated for traffic enforcement. Additionally, 56 mobile surveillance units, along with 8 traffic signal monitoring cameras, will be deployed.
The briefing also revealed that cameras will be distributed across various districts, with 322 cameras in South District, 220 in East District, 27 in Korangi, 17 in Kemari, 16 in Malir, and 1 in West District. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs9.98 billion, with an expected completion timeline of 12 months. The formal launch is scheduled for May 2026.
The project will feature nine points of presence, solar and generator backup systems, smart surveillance towers, 50 public panic buttons, 8 response vehicles, and 10 surveillance drones.
CM Murad underscored that this initiative is not merely infrastructure development but a strategic investment in public safety and national security. He directed relevant agencies to accelerate work and ensure timely completion to avoid cost overruns.
He approved merit-based recruitment of technical personnel for the Sindh Safe City Authority. The meeting also discussed proposals to extend the Safe City project to Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and Shaheed Benazirabad, with an additional 780 cameras planned for these cities at a cost of Rs3.15 billion.
Murad Shah emphasized that all Safe City projects across Sindh should operate under an integrated system managed by the Sindh Safe Cities Authority. He explained that an integrated command and control system is essential for effective security management.
He further noted that the Safe City initiative will not only aid in crime prevention but will also improve traffic management and emergency response services. The Sindh government remains committed to transforming Karachi into a modern, peaceful, and economically vibrant metropolis.
