ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has approved a new ordinance aimed at protecting Islamabad’s Safe City cameras and surveillance infrastructure, introducing financial penalties for damaging the equipment and provisions to recover the cost of repairs or replacement.
The Islamabad Capital Territory Safe City Camera and Surveillance Infrastructure Protection and Damage Compensation Ordinance was approved on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to the President’s Office.
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
What the new ordinance provides
Under the ordinance, anyone who damages a Safe City camera or related surveillance infrastructure may face a fine of up to Rs2 million for each camera or piece of infrastructure. The ordinance also covers those who incite or encourage such damage.
If surveillance equipment is damaged during a public meeting, procession, sit-in, protest, strike or other gathering, organisers may also be held responsible for the damage, according to the Presidency.
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The key provisions include
- Up to Rs2 million fine for each damaged camera or infrastructure component.
- Penalties may also apply to those who incite or encourage damage.
- Organisers of certain public gatherings may be held responsible when damage occurs during the event.
- An authorised officer will determine the fine and compensation after giving the person concerned an opportunity to be heard.
- The affected person can appeal within 30 days before the District and Sessions Judge, Islamabad.
- Unpaid fines or compensation can be recovered as arrears of land revenue.
- Money recovered through fines and compensation will be used for the repair and replacement of Safe City infrastructure.
24/7 Surveillance. Safer Islamabad.
Safe City cameras keep a constant watch across Islamabad, supporting rapid response, enhanced security, and better protection for citizens, day and night.#SafeCityIslamabad #WeRIslamabadPolice #PublicSafety pic.twitter.com/RTteOWBGOH
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) September 26, 2026
Ordinance follows previous damage to cameras
The new legislation comes amid repeated incidents involving damage and theft of Safe City equipment in Islamabad.
During protests in 2024, Islamabad’s police chief said 441 Safe City cameras were damaged, with officials estimating damage to government property at more than Rs154 million.
Safe City equipment has also been targeted in incidents unrelated to protests. In June 2026, police reported that three surveillance cameras worth about Rs549,500 were stolen from G-9/4, with the incident discovered weeks later.
Islamabad’s Safe City system was launched to support security, crime monitoring and surveillance across the federal capital. The latest ordinance establishes a specific mechanism for imposing financial liability when its cameras and related infrastructure are damaged.
