LAHORE: The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has said the Chinese contractor company has imported a range of equipment, including cameras, power batteries, LCDs and other technical items to make 2,000 cameras fully functional.

The authority says the cameras have not been operating for the last few years and Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar had given a deadline for completion of the procurement process and making the cameras functional by Aug 14.

A PSCA spokesperson says the reactivation of cameras will also include software integration, including facial recognition software.

According to the agreement, he says, the Chinese company would ensure the project’s full functionality.

PSCA Managing Director Muhammad Kamran Khan says the contractor has to bear the cost of restoration of all the hardware and software of the project, adding that the import of project machinery was facilitated through extensive negotiations and high-level meetings.

These efforts, he says, show the commitment of all stakeholders to expedite the implementation process of the project.

The MD emphasised the pivotal role of the cameras and software in enhancing the security and monitoring capabilities of law enforcement agencies.

The completion of the restoration process will certainly help improve the law and order situation and ensure tightening the noose around criminals, he added.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2023