President Asif Ali Zardari, on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has approved the Islamabad Capital Territory Safe City Camera and Surveillance Infrastructure Protection and Damage Compensation Ordinance.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency’s Media Wing, the ordinance aims to protect Safe City cameras and surveillance systems from damage and ensure compensation in case of any damage.
Under the ordinance, financial penalties may be imposed for damaging Safe City cameras or surveillance infrastructure, or for inciting or encouraging others to cause such damage.
A fine of up to Rs2 million may be imposed for damaging each Safe City camera or piece of surveillance infrastructure.
In case of damage caused during rallies, processions, sit-ins, protests, strikes or gatherings, the organizers may also be held responsible for the damage. The fine and cost of the damage will be determined by an authorized officer after providing the concerned person an opportunity to be heard.
The concerned person will have the right to appeal against the determination of the fine or cost of the damage before the District and Sessions Judge Islamabad within 30 days.
If the prescribed fine or compensation amount is not paid, it may be recovered as arrears of land revenue.
The amount collected in the form of fines and compensation for damages will be spent on the repair and replacement of Safe City cameras and surveillance infrastructure.
