According to the data compiled by the office of the Inspector General (IG) Islamabad, three major protest events—on May 9, 2023, October 4, 2024, and November 26, 2024—resulted in severe financial and human losses.
The cumulative financial loss from these protests exceeds 450 million rupees, with a significant portion attributed to the destruction of Safe City surveillance cameras, police vehicles, and buildings. The IG’s report outlines the devastating impact on law enforcement operations and public security in Islamabad.
The May 9, 2023 protests resulted in extensive damage, with 82 police personnel injured, including some with serious injuries. Additionally, two police buildings were damaged, incurring an estimated loss of 30 million rupees, while 12 police vehicles were damaged, costing around 4.5 million rupees. The most substantial loss was the destruction of 367 Safe City surveillance cameras, with an estimated replacement cost of 251.37 million rupees. These attacks severely compromised the operational capabilities of law enforcement agencies in the capital.
On October 4, 2024, the protests saw one police personnel martyred and 42 others injured. The attacks also resulted in damage to 13 police vehicles, with an estimated loss of 2.7 million rupees. Furthermore, the destruction of 221 Safe City cameras added to the financial strain, with losses amounting to 63.64 million rupees. Authorities noted that these incidents were deliberate attempts to disrupt surveillance capabilities and undermine public security.
The November 26, 2024 protests proved to be the most violent, resulting in the martyrdom of four Rangers personnel and injuries to 103 police officers, including 27 who sustained firearm wounds. The protests saw the destruction of 246 Safe City cameras, incurring a financial loss of 87.03 million rupees. Furthermore, 43 police vehicles were damaged, resulting in losses of approximately 10.7 million rupees. This wave of violence placed an immense strain on law enforcement resources, leaving officers struggling to maintain order under increasingly difficult conditions.
In total, the protests led to the martyrdom of five law enforcement personnel and injuries to 227 officers. The destruction of police buildings, vehicles, and surveillance infrastructure has had a profound impact, with the loss of 834 Safe City cameras alone accounting for over 402 million rupees. These damages have severely compromised public safety measures in Islamabad.
Officials have expressed deep concerns over the repeated targeting of police assets and have vowed strict action against those responsible. The Islamabad police condemned these acts of violence and emphasized the need for accountability. Law enforcement agencies argue that the destruction of state institutions not only hinders their operations but also erodes public trust in the security apparatus.
While the right to protest remains fundamental, the violent outcomes of these demonstrations underscore the need for measures to prevent such incidents in the future. Law enforcement agencies continue to call for public cooperation to ensure peaceful demonstrations and the safeguarding of public resources and infrastructure. However, It is also the responsibility of political parties to educate their workers to remain peaceful during protests and to avoid taking the law into their own hands.
