KARACHI, Oct 16: The city police have identified 100 spots in the city for installation of surveillance cameras.

However, initially sensitive areas, five to six in number, including airport, would be given priority to combat terrorism and other heinous crimes, including vehicle snatching and robberies.

The police department has invited tenders for purchase of cameras and other electronic gadgets and Oct 21 has been set as the last date for it.

The work on installation of such cameras in sensitive areas is expected to be completed in two months, said IGP Syed Kamal Shah while briefing newsmen at Sheraton Hotel.

The police department has set aside sufficient funds for purchasing cameras in addition to making a provision of three per cent of the amount realized through fines on traffic violations, the IGP said.

Earlier, the police had planned to install surveillance cameras on roundabouts and signals linked with traffic control rooms for controlling traffic violations but now that purpose would also be served through these cameras installed at hotels and other commercial buildings as they can cover an area in the radius of one-and-a-half kilometres.

He dispelled the impression that police have got any funds from the FBI or any other foreign agency and said all this was being done with local resources.

He, however, said private sector was being persuaded to share the responsibility.

The IGP said two electronic gates, fitted with surveillance cameras and x-ray machines will also be erected at highways near Karachi to control traffic violations besides detecting smuggling of weapons and other prohibited items which often are transported to the city in the cover of fruits and vegetables in trucks.

These trucks would have to pass through these electronic gates. The system would be installed at highways with in the next few weeks, he added.

Earlier, a demonstration of surveillance cameras installed at Sheraton hotel was held. Syed Arshad Ali, chairman Pakistan Hotel Association, also spoke.—APP