President Zardari approves an ordinance allowing fines and compensation for damage to Islamabad’s Safe City cameras and surveillance infrastructure.
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari, on the advice of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, has approved an ordinance providing financial penalties for damage to Islamabad Capital Territory’s Safe City cameras and surveillance infrastructure.
The President Secretariat Media Wing said the ordinance is intended to protect the surveillance network and establish a mechanism for recovering the cost of repairing or replacing damaged equipment.
Under the new ordinance, a fine of up to Rs2 million may be imposed for each damaged camera or other piece of Safe City surveillance infrastructure. The penalties can apply to individuals who damage, instigate damage to or encourage the destruction of the equipment.
Organisers may be held responsible
The ordinance also provides for organisers to be held responsible if Safe City infrastructure is damaged during rallies, processions, sit-ins, protests, strikes or other public gatherings.
The amount of the fine, along with the cost of repairing or replacing damaged infrastructure, will be determined by an authorised officer.
However, the person concerned must first be given an opportunity to present their case before the amount is determined.
Right to appeal against fine
The ordinance provides a right of appeal against a determination imposing a fine or compensation for damage.
The relevant person may file an appeal before the District and Sessions Judge, Islamabad, within 30 days of the determination.
If the fine or compensation remains unpaid, the outstanding amount may be recovered as arrears of land revenue.
Funds to be used for Safe City repairs
The money recovered through fines and compensation will be used to finance the repair and replacement of Safe City cameras and other surveillance infrastructure.
The measure establishes a legal framework for protecting Islamabad’s surveillance network while providing a mechanism to recover public expenditure incurred when equipment is damaged.