Karachi police have recovered a distribution box previously reported missing from a Safe City camera pole near Sea Rock Apartments in Clifton. The pole had been non-functional at the time of the incident, and the box was reported stolen on November 6. South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza confirmed that the box was later found on a nearby plot, marking a significant step in addressing the breach of surveillance infrastructure in one of the city’s high-profile residential areas. Authorities are now coordinating with Sindh Safe City Authority to strengthen monitoring protocols and prevent similar incidents in the future.
DIG Raza explained that the theft involved complex logistics, noting that the box had been installed at a considerable height. He emphasized that it would have been impossible for a single person to remove it alone. Local witnesses, including staff from a nearby hotel, reported seeing a vehicle equipped with a crane operating near the pole hours before the theft was officially reported. Missing components included switches and the battery, further highlighting vulnerabilities in the current non-operational system. Authorities also confirmed that the cameras on the pole were inactive, which delayed detection of the theft and complicated investigation efforts.
The area surrounding the pole was described as lacking sufficient lighting and private surveillance coverage, contributing to the challenge of securing the site. According to DIG Raza, only a single camera from Sea Rock Apartments provided partial coverage of the parking area. Police have previously submitted requests to the Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to install street lights, but these efforts have not been implemented. Additionally, the distribution box had no alarm system, making it difficult to determine the exact time of removal and raising concerns about gaps in infrastructure security within the Safe City Project.
The Safe City Project was initially launched on May 31, 2024, under its first phase, deploying 891 surveillance cameras across Karachi to enhance public safety. Last month, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah approved an expansion of the project to cover more high-risk commercial and residential areas, including Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and districts South, East, and Malir. Officials have emphasized that this incident will inform improvements in surveillance coverage, response protocols, and overall system integrity. The ongoing investigation aims to identify individuals responsible for the removal and to implement measures that strengthen the operational reliability of cameras and related infrastructure.
Authorities are treating the incident as a reminder of the importance of robust monitoring, especially in areas with high civilian traffic and sensitive residential zones. By recovering the distribution box and reviewing security gaps, Karachi police and Sindh Safe City Authority aim to ensure that future deployment of cameras and equipment adheres to stricter safety standards. The episode has highlighted the challenges of managing large-scale urban surveillance infrastructure in a city where public safety relies heavily on consistent and functional monitoring systems.
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