ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has approved an ordinance aimed at protecting Islamabad’s Safe City cameras and surveillance infrastructure from damage and ensuring compensation for losses.
The Islamabad Capital Territory Safe City Camera and Surveillance Infrastructure Protection and Damage Compensation Ordinance was approved on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to the President’s Secretariat.
Under the ordinance, financial penalties may be imposed on anyone who damages Safe City cameras or surveillance infrastructure, or instigates or encourages such damage.
A fine of up to Rs2 million may be imposed for each damaged camera or piece of surveillance infrastructure.
The ordinance also provides that organisers may be held responsible for damage caused to Safe City infrastructure during rallies, processions, sit-ins, protests, strikes or other gatherings.
The amount of the fine and the cost of the damage will be determined by an authorised officer after giving the concerned person an opportunity to be heard.
The person affected by the determination will have the right to appeal before the District and Sessions Judge, Islamabad, within 30 days.
If the imposed fine or compensation for damage is not paid, the amount may be recovered as arrears of land revenue.
The funds recovered through fines and compensation will be used for the repair and replacement of Safe City cameras and surveillance infrastructure, according to the President’s Secretariat.