1,945 cameras to be installed in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: A total of 1,945 cameras are to be installed under the Safe City Project for Islamabad, which would be completed at a total cost of 124.9 million dollars.

According to information placed before the National Assembly, the Ministry of Interior said that a total of 1,945 cameras were planned to be installed under the project out of which 1,805 cameras had already been installed.

The Safe City Project was negotiated and signed in 2009 at a total cost of 124.9 million dollars. “The implementation was withheld on the decision of the Supreme Court and on the conclusion of litigation, the project was reinitiated in 2014 without any cost escalation,” the ministry said.

According to the information, so far Rs9.53 billion as cost of the project and Rs4 billion on account of duties and taxes have been spent. The project has been implemented and is under operational use, however testing of various components of the system is currently underway.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly was informed that the Pakistan government during the last five years had obtained foreign loans to the tune of 14,163 million dollars from different financial institutions and banks.

The House was informed that 5,039 million dollars were obtained from the World Bank (IDA), Asian Development Bank (3,242 million dollars), Islamic Development Bank short term (2,530 million dollars), consortium of banks led by Noor Bank 440 million dollars, consortium of banks led by Credit Suisse 1,355 million dollars, World Bank (IBRD) 458 million dollars,, Standard Chartered Bank (London) 272 million dollars, Dubai Islamic Bank 70 million dollars and ECO Trade Bank 65 million dollars.

A total of 1,058 big businessmen were brought under the tax net during the last financial year in Islamabad and four provinces while a total of 20,547 businesses were booked during the year 2015-2016.

According to another written reply to  a question, the house was informed that the Ministry of Interior has assigned the Fauji Foundation Askari Guards, National Police Foundation and Provincial Police Line Headquarters, Islamabad, for training of security guards of private companies operating in Islamabad prior to their employment.