In preparation for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad, local police have devised a comprehensive digital surveillance strategy aimed at ensuring the security of numerous delegates arriving in the city.

Police officials announced that surveillance will focus on three primary routes—Route-I, Route-II, and Route-III—designated for transporting VVIPs and VIPs from the airport to their accommodations.

Each route will be monitored using a network of cameras managed by designated officers for continuous oversight.

Route-I will have 188 cameras, Route-II will utilize 149 cameras, and Route-III will be monitored by 138 cameras.

26 cameras will oversee two key venues for delegate meetings, while 115 cameras will monitor nine out of fourteen accommodation locations.

The conference venue’s parking area will be under the watch of five cameras, with 27 cameras positioned to oversee high-security zones.

The Safe City Islamabad initiative has a total of 3,150 cameras installed, with 2,910 currently operational. Recently, 441 cameras were damaged during PTI protests, costing the national exchequer approximately Rs154 million, but 345 of these have since been repaired.

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Most of the cameras are strategically placed along the routes designated for the SCO summit.

A central control room at the Safe City office will coordinate surveillance and command operations, managing live feeds and ensuring effective communication across security units.

Wireless communication points will be established at key locations for real-time updates and rapid response capabilities.

To bolster security, police will establish 20 outer cordon pickets and deploy anti-riot forces at critical locations throughout the city. Additionally, special units equipped with teargas and firearms will be on standby to maintain law and order.

In a related development, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) in Rawalpindi has announced a three-day ban on the movement of goods vehicles and machinery from October 14 to 16, coinciding with the SCO summit.