KARACHI: Karachi is one step closer to becoming a safer, more tech-savvy city, with the first phase of the long-awaited Karachi Safe City Project set to go live in the next two months — bringing real-time surveillance cameras to high-risk areas and helping police respond faster to keep families and streets secure.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced the timeline during a review meeting at CM House on Thursday, confirming that technology installations are complete and trial runs are underway. The Rs200 million Phase I will focus on the high-security ‘Red Zone’ and airport corridor, with plans to expand later to South, East, Korangi, and Malir districts.
Sindh CM @MuradAliShahPPP chaired a meeting of Safe Cities Authority.
Phase-I of Karachi Safe City Project will be operational within two months. Project includes 1,300 cameras, fully functional facial & number plate recognition systems & revised budget of Rs200 million. pic.twitter.com/WwxzIRWmcR— Sindh Chief Minister House (@SindhCMHouse) January 22, 2026
Key Highlights
- Phase I technical setup (cameras, servers, fibre optics) finished by December 17, 2025; the rest is still in progress.
- 1,300 cameras on 300 poles, 18 Point of Presence sites, and 23 Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) in initial rollout.
- Features include facial recognition, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), and intelligent traffic monitoring.
- CM approved temporary hiring of 34 expert staff to avoid delays; formed merit-based committee for recruitment.
- Budget re-appropriated (still Rs200 million total) to prioritize human resources and patrolling.
- SSCA to operate temporarily from CPO Command Centre with dedicated floor for coordination.
- Preparations underway for Safe City projects in Hyderabad and Sukkur; surveys completed by NRTC.
- Facial recognition and ANPR live demo expected in two weeks.
The project, managed by the Sindh Safe City Authority (SSCA), aims to transform Karachi into a modern, monitored metropolis where advanced tech helps prevent crime and improve emergency responses. DG SSCA Sarfraz Nawaz briefed the CM that the Computer-Aided Dispatch system is being fine-tuned for seamless integration.
Boosting Safety for Everyday Citizens
For Karachiites dealing with traffic chaos, street crime, and daily commutes, this rollout promises quicker police action and better deterrence in busy zones. The CM stressed that safety is non-negotiable and directed urgency in hiring skilled people to ensure smooth operations once live. He also pushed for similar projects in Hyderabad and Sukkur to extend protection province-wide.
With the e-challan (TRACS) system already proving effective for traffic rules, the Safe City initiative marks another practical step toward a more secure urban life. The focus on merit hiring, coordination with police, and phased expansion shows a clear commitment to delivering results that matter to ordinary people. As trials continue, the coming months will test how quickly these tools can make a real difference on Karachi’s streets.
Check out our latest video:
