In preparation for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad, the Islamabad police have put in place an extensive digital surveillance strategy to ensure the safety of the numerous delegates arriving in the city. This plan involves the monitoring of specific routes and key locations in real-time using a network of cameras and designated surveillance officers.
The surveillance will focus on three main routes, each designed to transport important dignitaries from the airport to their accommodations. These routes are divided into sections, each of which will be monitored around the clock by cameras and surveillance officers. The number of cameras allocated to each route varies, with Route-I being monitored by 188 cameras, Route-II by 149 cameras, and Route-III by 138 cameras. This includes surveillance of entrance and exit points, surrounding areas, and parking lots.
In addition to the route surveillance, the venues where the delegates are expected to meet and the places of their stay will also be closely monitored. The surveillance of these areas will be conducted using a total of 141 cameras.
The Safe City Islamabad has a total of 3,150 cameras, out of which 2,910 are currently functional. However, there have been instances of vandalism during recent protests, leading to damage to 441 cameras. Despite this, the majority of the damaged cameras have been repaired.
The central hub for surveillance and command operations will be the control room in the Safe City office, which will manage live feeds from route and venue cameras. It will also coordinate with other security units and establish wireless communication points at key venues and arrival/departure points for real-time updates and rapid response.
Furthermore, a dedicated operational control room will handle communication and coordination tasks, managing various aspects of the event. Additionally, 20 pickets will be set up for the outer cordon, and the Anti-Riot Force will be deployed at specific locations to ensure law and order.
The Regional Transport Authority in Rawalpindi has also imposed a three-day ban on certain vehicles in the district due to the SCO summit in Islamabad.
