Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar formally inaugurated the Safe City project in Islamabad on Monday.
The first of its kind project has a price tag of Rs 126 million, according to the minister.
Nearly 1,800 surveillance cameras have been installed across the federal capital as part of the project. The command and control centre will be established in a bombproof building at H-11 and it will monitor important buildings, entry and exit points, roads, commercial centres and a sizable portion of the city’s residential areas.
Speaking to media, the minister emphasised the importance of police reforms, and said the project’s success depends on performance of police and law enforcement agencies.
“This project will be a failure if the deployed police do not perform their duties properly,” he added.
A comprehensive plan prepared to make Quetta and Gwadar safe cities at a cost of Rs 10 billion is also in the offing and the provincial government has already approved Rs three billion for the purpose.
“This is true policing, where every corner of Islamabad can be seen on camera,” said Nisar, adding, “After a month’s monitoring, the number of checkpoints in the city will be reduced. Closed roads on Constitutional Avenue have also been opened.”