A few years ago, Islamabad faced the same problems many growing cities do: rising crime, traffic chaos, and the need for faster emergency responses. The government knew something had to change, giving birth to the Safe City Project.

The idea was simple but powerful: install a network of high-tech CCTV cameras across the city, connect them to a central command center, and use the footage to help police do their jobs better.

Today, 2,512 cameras are keeping a watchful eye on Islamabad, after which the results are nothing short of remarkable.

Equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), they can scan vehicle license plates in real-time, helping police track stolen cars or vehicles involved in crimes. The cameras are strategically placed at key locations—busy intersections, markets, residential areas, and even quiet streets.

Every camera feeds live footage to a central command center, where a team monitors the city 24/7. If something suspicious happens, they can alert police on the ground within seconds. It’s like having thousands of invisible guardians watching over the city.

While the cameras are impressive, they’re only as good as the people using them. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team monitors the footage, analyzes data, and coordinates responses. They work in situation rooms at the Safe City building and the IGP’s office, where they keep a close eye on the city in real-time. There’s also a plan to set up a digital forensic laboratory, where experts will analyze video footage to uncover hidden clues. This combination of technology and human expertise is what makes the Safe City Project so effective.

As the project continues to evolve, with plans for more cameras, better analytics, and improved coordination, one thing is clear: Islamabad is setting a new standard for safety in Pakistan.