600 of 800 Cameras Non-Functional in Quetta Safe City Project — PAC Slams Mismanagement of Rs9 Billion Scheme

**QUETTA (Qudrat Daily)** – The **Public Accounts Committee (PAC)** of the **Balochistan Assembly** has expressed severe dissatisfaction over massive irregularities in the **Quetta Safe City Project**, revealing that **600 out of 800 surveillance cameras are non-functional** despite the expenditure of **Rs9 billion**.

The meeting, chaired by **PAC Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen**, reviewed audit paras related to the **Safe City Project**, **Information Department**, and **Prisons Department**. Committee members **Wali Muhammad Noorzai**, **Ghulam Dastagir Badini**, **Muhammad Khan Lehri**, **Sofia Bibi**, and **Ayaz Mandokhail** attended the session along with **Secretary Science & Technology Imran Khan**, **DG Audit Balochistan Shuja Ali**, **DIG Prisons Zia Tareen**, and **DG PR Muhammad Noor Khetran**.

During the meeting, it was disclosed that the **Rs2.28 billion contract** for the Safe City Project was **illegally awarded to the Special Communications Organization (SCO)** instead of **NRTC**, despite the latter scoring higher in both **technical and financial evaluations**.

Chairman Asghar Tareen said, “Out of 800 cameras, 600 are out of order. Rs9 billion have been spent, yet the public remains unsafe. This project is a textbook example of financial mismanagement and poor planning.”

Committee members criticized the repeated cost escalation — from **Rs1.7 billion to Rs9 billion** — and condemned the lack of transparency. **Haji Muhammad Khan Lehri** remarked, “This is blatant wastage of public money; the culture of drawing-room contractors must end.”

**Sofia Bibi** added, “It’s incomprehensible how such a huge amount could be wasted in a province already struggling with limited resources. The department’s explanations are unsatisfactory.”

The PAC decided to **personally inspect the project** and directed the **Chief Secretary of Balochistan** to submit an **inquiry report within one month**. The committee warned that if the report is found unsatisfactory, the case will be **forwarded to NAB** for further investigation.