ISLAMABAD: A project concept (PC-I) for the expansion of the Safe City Project has been approved which will extend the surveillance coverage to approximately 90 per cent of the federal capital.
The Safe City Project Islamabad, which was inaugurated in 2016 at a cost of Rs6 billion, covers only 35 per cent of critical areas.
Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur had asked a question in the upper house of parliament about the number of security cameras installed in Islamabad, the number of operational and nonoperational cameras; steps taken or being taken for repair of the nonfunctional cameras, and whether the installed cameras fulfilled the security surveillance requirements and, if not, steps being taken in this regard.
In reply, the interior minister submitted a written reply, stating that currently 3,159 CCTV cameras of Safe City Project were installed at key locations in the capital. These include PTZ, ANPR and fixed cameras that cover about 35 per cent of critical areas, including Red Zone, all major entry and exit points, important marketplaces, high-traffic roads and significant public spaces through continuous 24/7 digital surveillance with approximately 95 per cent network uptime.
From Jan 20201 to June 2025, a total of 567 rape cases registered in Islamabad and 625 suspects arrested, says ministry
At any given time, around 120 to 140 cameras are typically undergoing scheduled repairs or maintenance as part of the regular upkeep.
In line with PPRA rules, vendors for the operations and maintenance of Safe City Islamabad camera infrastructure are selected through a transparent tendering process, ensuring continuous and efficient system performance.
Additionally, PC-I for the expansion of the Safe City Project has been approved, which will extend the surveillance coverage to approximately 90oc of ICT. This expansion will significantly enhance the project’s capacity meet the security and surveillance to requirements of the capital territory.
Replying to another question by Senator Shahadat Awan regarding the number of rape cases registered in Islamabad since January 1, 2021 along with present status of each case indicating also the number of persons arrested, challaned and convicted.
The minister stated that as per reports obtained from police stations of Islamabad through zonal superintendents during the period from January 1, 20201 to June 20, 2025, a total of 567 rape cases were registered and 625 suspects arrested.
Out of the total, 485 cases were challaned, 80 accused convicted, 23 acquitted and those in 406 cases were still facing trial in courts.
Besides, 29 cases are under investigation and will be concluded as soon as possible.
However, Shahadat Awan pointed out that while the written reply mentioned 567 rape cases were registered till June 2025, in the annex given in the written reply the total number of registered cases was 466, including those regarding missing children.
Minister for State for Interior Talal Chaudhry apologised for the typo, but insisted that the conviction ratio was slightly better than in the provinces.
The house was told that there were 200 registered cases of sexual abuse of which male victims were 92 and female 108. Of these, 180 were challaned, whereas 12 criminals were convicted.
Similarly, there were a total of 266 registered cases of missing children, and 107 of these were challaned and two criminals convicted so far.
Meanwhile, the state minister also informed the Senate that internal accountability within the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had been strengthened and between 2022 and 2024, as many as 51 FIA officials were dismissed from service due to their involvement in human trafficking and fake documentation.
Responding to questions during the question hour, he said the dismissals were accompanied by criminal proceedings with 63 officials nominated, 44 arrested and 16 acquitted.
“Appeals against those acquittals have been filed in the high courts,” he added.
Moreover, 18 cases are currently under investigation, six have reached the final challan stage and four are at the interim stage. The minister also informed the house that for the first time a Pakistani human smuggler had been arrested in Europe under Interpol Red Notices with the cooperation of the Spanish Interior Ministry.
He said the government was pursuing similar cases abroad, while continuing both departmental and criminal actions at home.
During supplementary questions, Shahadat Awan asked the minister to share district-wise details of pending cases, conviction numbers, and clarification on how many senior officials had faced prosecution, rather than just dismissals.
The chair directed the Interior Ministry to provide a complete list of dismissed and acquitted officials along with details of pending appeals to the Senate Secretariat for circulation among members.
The house was also informed that regular fortnightly reviews were being conducted at the Interior Ministry level to track progress on human trafficking cases.
Responding to another question, the minister said, “Unfortunately, the offence has also modernised with digital tools and connectivity, but Pakistan has launched coordinated efforts, both domestically and through our missions abroad, to curb the menace of human smuggling.”
Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2025