Like other parts of the world, the use of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras has increased dramatically in Pakistan, especially since there has been an increase in terrorist incidents over the last decade.

A number of people have installed security cameras at their homes as deterrent to criminals. Inmates in jails, patients and visitors in hospitals, and customers at airports, railway stations and bus stands are all being monitored through this device.

CCTV cameras are also being installed in some schools to monitor teachers and students, and by-standers and vehicles moving outside the schools.

Traffic police have been using these cameras to monitor traffic violations and road traffic accidents, while the district police have been using CCTV cameras to check crimes. However, the cameras are no substitute for police as the city's crime wave is continuing unchecked.

People in government offices, schools, offices, etc., are being kept under surveillance through 45 CCTV cameras installed at the three major roads, The Mall, Bank Road and Haider Road, located in the red-zone of the cantonment area.

But, the security cameras have never been in working condition. Especially during loadshedding, they are completely non-functional, giving criminals full opportunity to strike.

In 2005, the citizen community board (CCB), with the assistance of district police, installed the cameras along roads.

A control room was also set up at the Cantt police station to monitor people and other movements taking place in the high security zone, even though these cameras were not enough in numbers to meet security requirements.

Assistant sub-inspector (ASI), Gul Zaman, has been posted as in-charge of the control room. But he is helpless when there is a power breakdown or loadshedding as there is no backup system to keep the security cameras functioning.

Mr Zaman does not have technicians for repairing broken cameras, nor does he have any funds for their maintenance.

When a half dozen CCTV cameras developed a fault, the control room in-charge himself had to go to a private technician who comes after a long wait to repair them.

Recently the city police officer (CPO) Azhar Hameed Khokhar had an inspection of the control-room and assured that he would provide funds to install the electricity back up system and hire a technician. But the chances of this promise getting fulfilled seem bleak.

The in-charge of the control room said that most cameras were functioning, but more effort is required for their upkeep because they do help lessen crime. He said, “We have the cameras which record vehicles and other people's movements on three major roads where vehicle theft or purse snatching are less than other areas that have no security cameras.”

He informed Dawn that when the Punjab government had sought suggestions and proposals for how to improve the surveillance system, a request for about 475 CCTV cameras was sent. However, this request still has to be approved.

To a question, Mr. Zaman said that there was no doubt that the CCTV cameras are effective provided they have been functioning and their recording/footage is used by the police in investigations. CCTV recordings are preserved for 72 hours and cannot be used after that.

Whenever, a traffic accident happens, or any other incident/crime takes place, the in-charge of the control room watching the crime scene on his CCTV monitor immediately calls the nearby police patrol and asks them to rush to the scene.

“They do not prevent crime, they just record it for the purpose of evidence when needed,” Gul Zaman said, adding that one must realize the cameras help discourage crime rather than solving it.

However, the cantonment area has always been among the top three crime-hit areas where the number of reported stolen vehicles has been higher than in other parts of the city.Critics use this evidence to ask: what is the use of installing crime-fighting CCTV cameras when these cameras have no ability to help prevent crime? They say if these cameras have been so effective, than why have they not been installed in other parts of the city?