President Approves Ordinance to Protect Islamabad Safe City Infrastructure

News Desk
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has formally approved the Islamabad Capital Territory Safe City Camera and Surveillance Infrastructure Protection and Damage Compensation Ordinance, enacted on the formal advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The newly sanctioned legislation is aimed at providing stringent legal cover to public security assets against vandalism, deliberate destruction, and unauthorized interference within the federal capital.
Announced via the official social media handle of the President’s Office, the ordinance introduces robust punitive measures, including heavy financial penalties for individuals found guilty of damaging critical surveillance cameras and related network infrastructure.
Furthermore, the legislation extends its reach to penalize anyone who incites, abets, or encourages acts of sabotage against the state-managed security apparatus, ensuring comprehensive deterrence across the metropolitan area.
This decisive legislative move comes in the wake of recurring security challenges and public protests where vital urban infrastructure, notably traffic monitoring and law enforcement cameras, frequently sustained collateral or targeted damage.
By establishing a clear framework for financial liability and compensation recovery, the government seeks to enforce strict accountability, safeguarding taxpayers’ investments in cutting-edge public safety technology and maintaining uninterrupted surveillance coverage.
Following presidential assent, relevant federal ministries and the Islamabad Capital Territory administration are expected to operationalize the enforcement mechanisms outlined in the ordinance.
Law enforcement agencies will soon begin implementing the penalty clauses, while public awareness campaigns are anticipated to apprise citizens of the severe legal consequences associated with tampering with critical municipal installations.