Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved a supplementary grant of $6.170 million (approximately Rs1.72 billion) to Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., settling the remaining 5% of the contract cost for the Islamabad Safe City Project.
Background
The Islamabad Safe City Project, initiated in 2011 and launched in June 2016, aimed to enhance the security infrastructure of Pakistan’s capital through the installation of approximately 1,900 surveillance cameras and the establishment of a command and control center.
The project’s initial cost was estimated at Rs11.9 billion; however, in December 2015, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) revised the cost to Rs15.9 billion due to additional taxes and duties.
Despite its ambitious goals, the project has faced criticism for not fully achieving its objectives. Reports indicate that since its inauguration, the system has struggled to prevent incidents or assist significantly in criminal investigations.
The recent payment approval by the ECC follows directives from the Islamabad High Court to clear outstanding liabilities with Huawei Technologies, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and aiming to enhance the project’s operational effectiveness.
