Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has set a two-month deadline for Phase I of the Karachi Safe City Project, with cameras, command center links and staffing plans now in place.
CM Sets Timeline for Safe City Rollout
The Sindh government has moved the Karachi Safe City Project into its final preparatory stage, with Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announcing that Phase I will be launched within the next two months.
Speaking at a meeting held at the Chief Minister House, he directed officials to ensure that the first phase of the project becomes fully operational within the stipulated timeline, stressing that there is no room for delays in a city that urgently needs stronger surveillance and crime-prevention tools.
According to briefing details shared in the meeting, installation work under Phase I has already been completed and trial operations are now underway. The focus in the coming weeks will be on testing, fine-tuning and ensuring that all systems function smoothly before the formal launch.
Cameras, Command Center and High-Security Corridors
Under Phase I of the Karachi Safe City Project, surveillance cameras have been installed at key security-sensitive locations, including the Red Zone and the airport corridor. These areas see high volumes of VIP movement, government offices, diplomatic missions and public traffic, making them a priority for round-the-clock monitoring.
Live footage from the newly installed cameras is already being transmitted to the Central Police Office (CPO) command and control center. This centralised monitoring setup allows law enforcement teams to keep a real-time watch on critical routes, identify suspicious activity earlier and respond more quickly during emergencies.
Officials say that the network will support features such as facial recognition, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and intelligent traffic management. Over time, this backbone can be expanded to cover more parts of the city as additional phases of the project are approved and funded.
Technology, Staffing and Smart Policing
The Karachi Safe City Project is being framed as a shift towards more technology-driven policing. In addition to cameras and network infrastructure, the system is expected to use analytics and AI-based tools to support day-to-day police operations.
Facial recognition technology is being introduced to help identify suspects and wanted individuals from live camera feeds and recorded footage, subject to legal and procedural safeguards. Automatic number plate recognition will enable authorities to track vehicles linked with criminal activity, traffic violations or security alerts.
To avoid operational delays, the Sindh government has approved the recruitment of technical experts on a temporary contractual basis. These professionals will help operate the system, manage the command center, maintain equipment and work alongside police personnel so that the technology translates into practical results on the ground.
The chief minister also stressed that safe city infrastructure must be supported by active patrolling, coordination between different law enforcement agencies and clear protocols for how video intelligence is used in real cases. The goal is not only to record incidents, but to prevent them and to improve the speed and accuracy of investigations when crimes do occur.
Budget Reallocation to Speed Up Phase I
During the meeting, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah approved a revised budget of Rs. 200 million for Phase I of the project. Officials said the adjustment is aimed at re-aligning funds to focus on the most urgent needs, particularly staffing and patrolling requirements linked with the new surveillance system.
By shifting resources towards operations rather than only hardware, the government hopes to avoid a situation where equipment is installed but not fully utilised due to shortages of trained personnel or support services.
The chief minister reiterated that the Safe City Project is a long-term investment in Karachi’s security, and that effective use of allocated funds in the early phases will help build a strong foundation for future expansion.
Next in Line: Hyderabad and Sukkur Safe City Plans
Looking beyond Karachi, the Sindh government has also directed the Sindh Safe City Authority to start preparations for similar projects in Hyderabad and Sukkur. The authority has been asked to develop detailed implementation plans, including technical designs, cost estimates and phasing strategies, for submission and approval.
Extending safe city coverage to other major urban centres is expected to support a more uniform approach to urban security across the province, especially along key economic and transport corridors.
For residents of Karachi, the immediate focus will be on how quickly Phase I translates into visible improvements – such as better traffic management, faster response in emergencies and stronger deterrence against street crime. If the first phase performs well, it is likely to strengthen public demand and political momentum for a wider rollout of safe city technology across Sindh.
