KARACHI: Outgoing Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday performed the soft launch of the long-delayed Karachi Safe City Project a day before leaving his coveted office after completing five-year term.

“I am honoured to launch this much-awaited project before leaving the charge of my office,” he said while speaking at the contract signing ceremony of the Integrated C5ISR-based Safe City Project here at the CM House.

C5ISR stands for command, control, communication, computer, cyber security, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

He said that the project was a testament to the foresight and dedication of the Sindh government.

Says the scheme will improve emergency response times and deter criminal activities

He said that the board of the Sindh Safe Cities Authority, its director general and the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) had worked hard to make the project a reality.

The CM said that the Karachi Safe City Project was not just a collection of surveillance cameras and technological advancements, but also embodied collective aspirations of the people of Karachi for a safer and secure environment.

He said that despite all the challenges that a rapidly growing city like Karachi faced, it was the duty of the provincial government to ensure that every citizen felt safe and secure and that this project would bring the government one step closer to achieving that goal.

He said that his government had always placed the needs and aspirations of the citizens at the forefront of its agenda.

“We understand the challenges faced by our cities in this rapidly evolving world, and we are not merely content with acknowledging these challenges, but we strive to confront them head-on, with determination and innovation,” he added.

The CM said that the project would enhance law enforcement capabilities, improve emergency response times and deter criminal activities.

He said that the integrated approach aligned with the provincial government’s commitment to creating a city that was not only prosperous but also safe for all its residents.

He said that the project was truly a one-of-a-kind initiative, distinguished not only by its scale but also by the intricate technical complexities it encompassed.

“As we stand on the cusp of its launch, we can take pride in our collective efforts to overcome these hurdles and bring this visionary project to fruition,” he said.

The CM expressed his gratitude to all the stakeholders involved in this endeavour, including government officials and law enforcement agencies, technical experts, and project teams.

“Your dedication and hard work are integral to the success of the project,” he said.

The chief minister further said that the citizens of Karachi were eagerly looking forward to the enhanced safety and security that this project promised and their trust was a responsibility that the government must uphold.

“Therefore, I kindly request Sindh Safe Cities Authority director general and NRTC managing director to keep a keen focus on meeting the project’s timeliness while maintaining the highest standards of quality,” he said.

The programme was attended by former Sindh IT Minister Taimur Talpur, Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, NRTC chief Brigadier Asim Ishaq and others.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2023