PESHAWAR: Efforts have been accelerated for installation of closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) all over the provincial capital under a smaller Safe City Project after no practical work could be started on the actual plan pending for over 15 years.
A source informed that the senior officers of the capital city and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police have taken up the case at the highest level for CCTV coverage to the entire district for improved law and order and to thwart terrorism bids.
“A fresh proposal has been prepared that will cost hardly few per cent of the funds demanded for the Safe City Project, which was pending for the last 15 years. The new proposed project will cover maximum points in the provincial capital,” a source informed.
The source said apart from the main city, cantt, Hayatabad and other important areas of Peshawar, the CCTVs under the fresh project would cover the entry and exit points to capital city from Darra Adamkhel in Kohat, Khyber, Mohmand, Charsadda and Nowshera districts. Most of the attacks on the city were launched from the adjoining districts.
The new project was proposed after no practical work was done even years after the announcement of the Safe City Project for Peshawar.On the other hand, Charsadda got the facility recently due to the efforts of a few individuals.
An official said CCTVs have been installed at around 400 points in Charsadda district recently after a mini Safe City Project was launched by former district police officer Masood Ahmad Bangash, who is currently senior superintendent of police operations, Peshawar. This project was the first one of its kind in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The points covered by the CCTV cameras under the project included the crowded places in Charsadda city, the vulnerable spots and the entry and exit points to the district from all four sides.
The Safe City Project was planned for Peshawar in 2009 and the same was announced for Parachinar in Kurram district in 2017.No practical work has been done while millions were spent on the offices and theoretical work every year. A proper unit had been set up in the KP Police under a deputy inspector general and his team for the last many years to ensure speedy practical work on the Safe City Projects.
Apart from Peshawar, Safe City Projects were proposed around 15 years back for Lahore and Islamabad too. The projects were completed in Islamabad and Lahore many years back but nothing has been done in Peshawar. Many other districts of Punjab also got the facility in the last many years.
The CCTV cameras are needed at all the key points of Peshawar and other major towns of the province amid the recent wave of terrorist attacks as well as an alarming increase in street crimes.
In Peshawar, the installation of a few hundred CCTV cameras at all the entry and exit points, public places, main trade centers, offices, townships, offices and any important place in urban and rural areas can help protect the lives and properties of millions of people from terrorists and criminals.
A number of high profile cases have been worked out recently with the help of technology, especially CCTV cameras and cellular phone data.Officials said many extortionists, killers, robbers, snatchers and many others involved in different kinds of crimes and terrorism incidents were held mostly through CCTV footage and cell phones in the last few years.
“Not only do the CCTV cameras help identify the culprits after any crime but also help monitor an area to keep a check on any suspicious movement to thwart any criminal or terrorist bid. Besides, it improves the dealing of cops and personnel of other forces with the public at the checking points,” said an official.