ISLAMABAD:
Officials have confirmed that surveillance cameras operating under Islamabad’s Safe City project are no longer using Israeli-origin video analytics software, clarifying that the system was deployed only temporarily between June 2021 and October 2022.
Senior authorities from Islamabad Police said the software, known as BriefCam, was used on a trial basis for around 16 months before being discontinued following the expiry of its license.
BriefCam, originally developed in Israel, is designed to help law enforcement agencies rapidly search and analyse large volumes of surveillance footage. The platform enables operators to filter video clips based on specific attributes such as motion, objects, or vehicles, significantly reducing the need for manual review of hours of recordings.
Officials explained that the cameras installed under the Safe City initiative were supplied by Chinese technology firm Huawei, and the analytics tool was included as part of a broader technical package. However, they stressed that the software was not permanently integrated into the system and was removed once its contractual term ended.
The origins of BriefCam trace back to research at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where the concept of “video synopsis” was first developed. The technology was later commercialised and acquired in 2018 by Japanese imaging giant Canon Inc., becoming part of its global security solutions portfolio. Canon has also integrated the platform with Denmark-based video management firm Milestone Systems, which it previously acquired.
A director-level official associated with the Safe City Authority said the procurement was made through Canon Japan’s services after its acquisition of BriefCam. “It was a trial run and was discontinued after the license expired. It was not renewed,” the official stated.
Another government source reiterated that the application remained operational only until October 2022, rejecting suggestions that it continued beyond that period.
The matter drew public scrutiny following international media reports about the use of surveillance technologies in regional security contexts. While those reports did not specifically reference BriefCam, questions were raised regarding the presence of foreign-origin analytics tools in Islamabad’s monitoring infrastructure.
Authorities have sought to address these concerns by detailing the timeline of use and confirming that the platform is no longer active within the Safe City framework.
The episode underscores broader debates surrounding procurement transparency and oversight in public safety projects. Modern surveillance systems increasingly rely on layered technologies sourced from multiple international vendors, raising complex legal, technical and reputational considerations.
Officials maintain that the Israeli-origin analytics software was used only temporarily and has remained inactive since October 2022, asserting that the current Safe City infrastructure no longer relies on the platform.
