Islamabad (GNP): President Asif Ali Zardari, acting on the advice of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, has approved an ordinance designed to protect Islamabad Capital Territory’s Safe City cameras and surveillance systems while ensuring compensation for any damage inflicted on them.
According to a press release issued by the President’s Secretariat Media Wing on Saturday, the ordinance aims to safeguard Safe City infrastructure from damage and ensure that associated costs can be recovered in the event of any loss.
Under the new law, financial penalties can be levied against anyone found damaging, inciting damage to, or encouraging damage to Safe City cameras or surveillance equipment. Fines of up to Rs. 2 million per damaged camera or piece of infrastructure may be imposed.
Event organizers may also be held liable for any damage caused to surveillance infrastructure during rallies, processions, sit-ins, protests, strikes, or similar gatherings.
The fine amount and cost of damages will be determined by an authorized officer, who must first give the responsible party an opportunity to present their case. Individuals will have the right to appeal the determination before the District and Sessions Judge of Islamabad within 30 days.
Also read: Pakistan Navy Seizes Over 2,800kg of Narcotics Worth $750 Million
If a fine or damage cost goes unpaid, the amount may be recovered as arrears of land revenue. Funds collected through fines and damage compensation will be directed toward repairing and replacing Safe City cameras and surveillance equipment.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
