BAHAWALPUR: Jhalla Araian police, with the cooperation of the residents of Chak 364-WB village of Lodhran district, have launched a unique ‘safe village project’ comprising a local network of closed circuit TV cameras on a self-help basis to curb crimes in the area, particularly robberies and thefts.

As per locals, they were prompted to launch this project under the leadership of the lumberdar, with police motivation and guidance, following an incident in which armed robbers deprived an elderly village resident, Shamim Bibi, of her earrings in broad daylight.

The village falling in the limits of Jallah Araian police station, is resided by over 5,000 people.

They say that SHO Asef Bhutta of Jallah Arian police station suggested to the village elders that the law and order could be significantly improved in the village by installing CCTV cameras witha local ‘control room’. It was agreed that the well-to-do residents will contribute funds for this project.

The project was also presented to Lodhran District Police Officer (DPO) Ali Bin Tariq, who gave a go-ahead to it.

Accordingly, the locals collected a sum of Rs1 million, while technical assistance for the project was provided by a resident Fahad Noor, who is a software engineer.

Another resident provided a room of house to set up a ‘control room’, where Fahad installed the equipment, to monitor as many as 25 CCTV cameras installed at all important crossings in and around the village.

Locals hope this self-help initiative will go a long way in curbing robberies and thefts in the area, through identification of criminal elements and their elimination with the help of police.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2026