Pakistan’s Safe City projects in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi have transformed into a daily surveillance infrastructure, moving beyond anti-terrorism measures, according to a report by the Human Rights Research Center. The urban policing system now heavily relies on networked surveillance cameras, biometric interfaces, and central command centers.
The report highlighted that the integration of facial recognition technology with national ID databases enables real-time tracking, allowing constant monitoring and mapping of individuals’ movements. Despite being subject to constitutional and international standards, Pakistan’s surveillance system operates without significant legal or constitutional challenges.
While there are regulations governing surveillance, Pakistan lacks a comprehensive law on data protection and an independent oversight body for monitoring data collection and usage. Proposed data protection bills have circulated without establishing a legal framework for the storage, sharing, or contesting of biometric data, facial images, or location history collected through Safe City systems.
Operating under administrative laws and executive orders, Safe City Authorities lack specific regulations defining the lawful boundaries of intrusive surveillance. The absence of publicly available guidelines on the permissible use of facial recognition technology and tracking of protests and political gatherings leaves such decisions at the discretion of law enforcement, potentially impacting freedom of assembly and speech.
The report also raised concerns about elite capture of Pakistan’s government, tax limitations, energy inefficiency, and economic fragility. Analysts warned that inadequate reforms could result in meager average annual GDP growth of 2–3% over the next five years, barely surpassing population growth rates, leading to economic stagnation.
