The cost of the Karachi Safe City Project has increased by 100 percent even before its launch. The project approved in 2011 is yet to be started.
Its cost was estimated at around Rs. 10 billion when it was conceived during the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) federal government. However, after a span of nine years, the project cost has doubled to Rs. 20 billion, with chances of further escalation.
The project includes installing CCTV cameras across the metropolis, setting up command and control centers, introducing face and vehicle recognition software, and a biometric system.
Following the surge in street crimes, the Sindh government has vowed to launch the Safe City project soon