President approves Ordinance for protection of Islamabad Safe City surveillance infrastructure

Islamabad (Web Desk): President Asif Ali Zardari has given his approval to an ordinance, recommended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, designed to protect Islamabad Capital Territory’s Safe City cameras and surveillance equipment while ensuring that the cost of any damage is recovered.

According to a statement issued by the President Secretariat Media Wing on Saturdasy, the ordinance has been introduced to prevent damage to Safe City cameras and surveillance infrastructure and to facilitate the recovery of expenses resulting from such incidents.

Under the newly approved ordinance, monetary penalties can be imposed on those who damage the cameras or surveillance equipment, encourage such acts, or provoke others to cause damage.

“A fine of up to Rs2 million per camera or piece of surveillance infrastructure may be imposed in case of damage,” it was added.

Organizers can also be made liable for damage to the surveillance infrastructure occurring during rallies, processions, sit-ins, demonstrations, strikes or other public gatherings.

The authorized officer will assess both the applicable penalty and the cost of the damage after giving the concerned individual an opportunity to explain their position.

The person affected by the decision can file an appeal against the imposed fine or assessed damage cost before the District and Sessions Judge, Islamabad, within 30 days.

If the fine or compensation remains unpaid, the outstanding amount can be recovered as arrears of land revenue.

The money collected in the form of penalties and compensation will be directed towards repairing or replacing damaged Safe City cameras and other surveillance infrastructure.