Pakistan’s president approves ordinance to protect Safe City cameras in Islamabad — Dawn

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari, on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved an ordinance on protecting Safe City cameras and video surveillance systems in the Islamabad Capital Territory. The document provides for liability for damage to this infrastructure and compensation for losses incurred.

As Dawn reports, the document is titled the “Islamabad Capital Territory Safe City Cameras and Video Surveillance Infrastructure Protection and Compensation Ordinance.” The Pakistani president’s office confirmed its approval in a post on X.

Fines for damage

A fine of up to 2 million Pakistani rupees may be imposed for damaging each camera or another element of the Safe City infrastructure. Financial penalties may also be applied for inciting or encouraging damage to cameras and surveillance systems.

If the infrastructure is damaged during a public gathering, march, sit-in, strike or another mass event, organizers may also be held liable. The amount of the fine and the value of the damage will be determined by an authorized official after giving the relevant person an opportunity to be heard.

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Appeal and compensation

A person against whom a decision on a fine or compensation has been made will be able to appeal it before the Islamabad district and sessions judge within 30 days. If the fine or compensation is not paid, the amount may be recovered as arrears of land revenue.

The collected fines and compensation will be used to repair and replace Safe City cameras and video surveillance infrastructure. The ordinance was approved after the PTI party postponed its planned protest in Islamabad until October 4, demanding the release of its founder Imran Khan, who is being held in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

According to officials, 441 Safe City Authority cameras were damaged during the march to Islamabad in 2024. PTI representatives said at the time that the protest was peaceful.