ISLAMABAD, Nov 30: Close circuit TV cameras would be installed in all mosques in the capital to ensure safety and security of worshippers, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao told Dawn. The minister said the decision in this respect was taken during a special meeting on security issues in Islamabad.

The meeting, which was presided over by the interior minister, was also attended by officials of the local administrations and capital police. Interior Secretary Syed Kamal shah was also present on the occasion.

The main objective of the meeting was to review the prevailing law and order situation and security measures taken in the capital.

The minister said in coordination with the mosque administrative committees and prayer leaders, close circuit TV security system should be installed to reinforce security in the mosques.

He urged the Ulema and prayer leaders to cooperate with the local administration for the safety of the people during Friday prayers as the government was very keen in providing safe and secure environment to the worshippers.

Mr Sherpao told the local administrations that security measures at mosques, particularly during Friday prayers, should be tightened in Islamabad with a view to providing security and safety to the people of the capital.

Such security measures should also be initiated in all urban areas particularly in the main cities of the country by all concerned, the minister said.

Later, Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah told Dawn that no government fund would be demanded for installation of close circuit TV cameras in the mosques.

He said the cost of installation of one system was not more than Rs50,000 and it could be borne by the community and philanthropists.

Besides, the management of the mosques had also been directed to obtain metal detectors to check all those who enter the mosques so that no one could take any explosives inside. The cost of a metal detector was hardly Rs7,000, he added.

Mr Shah said the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had also been directed to expedite the project of installation of security cameras at all sensitive places in the capital.

He said sensitive explosive detectors would be installed at all entry points of Islamabad to prevent any untoward incident in the capital.

The meeting was informed that the CDA had hired a UK-based consultant firm at a cost of Rs12.626 million for installation of security cameras at different places of Islamabad.

He said the consultant firm would prepare a detailed study and prepare Bill of Quantity (BoQ).

The expected cost of installation of security cameras is stated to be over Rs450 million.

The official said the network of security cameras would not only enhance security apparatus in the capital but also provide better traffic management system.

He said these cameras would be installed at all exit, entrance and sensitive points in Islamabad to check movement of suspected vehicles and persons.

“The camera would provide live coverage of different sites to the monitors in the central control room, he added.

An official of the CDA said all police vehicles in the city would blink on a computerized map of Islamabad to be placed in the central control room and in case of any emergency, message would be conveyed to the police squad which would be nearest to the venue of the incident.

Cameras would also be installed in weekly bazaars, prominent buildings and main roadsides like Blue Area, Super Market, Jinnah Super, Aabpara markets, Zero Point, Faizabad etc.