The safe city project for surveillance in Faisalabad, the third largest city of Pakistan, has been stalled due to a lack of disbursement of funds. The project was launched in May 2017 at an estimated cost of Rs157 million and it was to complete in a period of one year. However, it is still incomplete despite a lapse of fives years as the government has released only Rs80 million so far. Criminal elements are busy in their activities without any fear and lives of people are at risk as authorities await funds to complete the monitoring project in the city.

Sources said the buildings department had demanded Rs73 million from the Punjab government to complete the project but the amount was not released as a result of which the project came to a standstill. The city police officer (CPO) said the safe city project hanged in the balance due to shortage of fund. He hoped that working on it would resume soon. Sources said the delay had increased the cost of the project by Rs40 million as against the original estimated cost of Rs157 million.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP