In a shocking blow to Karachi’s Safe City surveillance initiative, thieves stole a key distribution box in the city’s Clifton area, knocking out several e-challan and security monitoring cameras linked to the multi-billion-rupee project.
The stolen box was a crucial component controlling multiple surveillance and traffic-monitoring systems across the locality. Following the theft, all connected cameras were immediately deactivated to prevent further technical damage and potential misuse.
Director General Safe City Project Karachi, Asif Ijaz Sheikh, confirmed that the distribution box contained high-value electronic components vital for camera operations, resulting in an abrupt halt to the project’s monitoring network. In response, officials removed remaining cameras from poles and stored them safely to avoid further losses.
Sheikh added that the incident had crippled both real-time surveillance and the e-challan system, which tracks and penalizes traffic violations in the area. He described the theft as a serious breach in urban infrastructure security, revealing gaps in how such installations are protected.
The DG stated that district police have been directed to enhance security around critical installations, and multiple meetings have been held with zonal DIGs to strengthen on-ground protection.
The incident has triggered widespread concern over Karachi’s security management and the future of the Safe City Project, which was designed to enhance urban safety and technological policing. Authorities are now reviewing security protocols and working to restore the affected surveillance network to ensure uninterrupted monitoring across the metropolis.
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