President Asif Ali Zardari has approved an ordinance allowing fines of up to Rs2 million for damaging Safe City cameras or surveillance infrastructure. The measure also covers people who incite or encourage such damage.
The President’s House announced the approval on Saturday, September 26. Zardari acted on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advice.
The measure carries the title Islamabad Capital Territory Safe City Camera and Surveillance Infrastructure Protection and Damage Compensation Ordinance. It seeks to protect the capital’s surveillance network and ensure compensation for damage.
Organisers may face liability
Authorities can impose a penalty of up to Rs2 million for each damaged camera or piece of surveillance infrastructure. The provision therefore sets the maximum penalty per damaged item.
The ordinance also allows authorities to hold organisers responsible for damage during rallies, processions, sit-ins, protests, strikes or other gatherings.
صدرِ مملکت آصف علی زرداری نے وزیرِ اعظم کی ایڈوائس پر اسلام آباد کیپٹل ٹیریٹری سیف سٹی کیمرا اور سرویلنس انفراسٹرکچر کے تحفظ اور نقصان کی تلافی سے متعلق آرڈیننس کی منظوری دے دی۔
آرڈیننس کا مقصد سیف سٹی کیمروں اور نگرانی کے نظام کو نقصان سے محفوظ بنانا اور نقصان کی صورت میں اس کی…
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) September 26, 2026
Its scope extends beyond those who physically damage equipment. People who instigate or encourage such actions can also face financial penalties.
The President’s House outlined a process for assessing both the fine and the cost of damage. An authorised officer will make that determination after giving the person concerned an opportunity to present their case.
Appeals allowed within 30 days
Anyone challenging the determination can appeal before Islamabad’s district and sessions judge within 30 days. The appeal provision covers the assessment of the fine or damage costs.
Authorities can recover unpaid fines or compensation as arrears of land revenue. They will use the recovered funds to repair or replace Safe City cameras and surveillance infrastructure.
The compensation mechanism links money recovered from those held responsible to restoring damaged equipment. It accompanies the financial penalties and the right to challenge an officer’s assessment.
The announcement comes as the government expands Islamabad’s surveillance network, with a September 30 deadline for completing the expansion project.
Safe City expansion nears deadline
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi set that deadline during an August 7 visit to the Safe City Headquarters. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry accompanied him at the progress review.
Officials reported that teams had completed 85% of the overall expansion work. Installation of the new surveillance network had also reached 85%.
They said workers had laid 415 kilometres of optical fibre to support the upgraded system. Work on the data centre, cyber architecture and cybersecurity infrastructure stood at around 80%.
وفاقی وزیر داخلہ محسن نقوی اور وزیر مملکت طلال چوہدری کاسیف سٹی ہیڈکوارٹرز کا دورہ
وفاقی وزیرداخلہ محسن نقوی کی زیر صدارت خصوصی اجلاس، سیف سٹی توسیعی پراجیکٹ پر پیش رفت کا جائزہ لیا
سیف سٹی توسیعی منصوبے پر مجموعی طور پر 85 فیصد کام مکمل، نئے کیمروں کی تنصیب،85 فیصد کیمرے لگ گئے pic.twitter.com/OZrD6UfHlN— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) August 7, 2026
“The advanced technology-based Safe City system will ensure enhanced public safety, effective surveillance, and rapid emergency response,” Naqvi said.
He also gave officials three months to complete Islamabad Safe City’s modern Fusion Centre.
At the same meeting, Naqvi directed officials to finalise the Safe City Bill for presentation before the National Assembly.
The August briefing placed both physical surveillance equipment and supporting digital infrastructure within the expansion programme. The newly approved ordinance adds financial penalties and a damage-recovery process to efforts to protect that network.
