Privacy and Surveillance by Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan (DIG, QPM) examines the delicate balance between public safety and individual privacy in Pakistan, focusing on mass surveillance systems like the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA). The book, published in 2021 and written in English, explores how Lahore’s installation of 8,000+ surveillance cameras impacts civil liberties, data protection, and cultural norms.
Structured into nine chapters, the book:
Defines privacy and surveillance in legal and cultural contexts (Chapters 1–3).
Analyzes Lahore’s surveillance system, its privacy challenges, and procedural safeguards (Chapters 4–5).
Debates the trade-offs between security and privacy, using empirical data from public surveys in Rawalpindi and Multan (Chapters 6–8).
Proposes policy recommendations to reconcile privacy rights with security needs in Pakistan’s unique socio-legal landscape (Chapter 9).
A sequel to Safe and Smart Cities of Pakistan, this research-driven work combines academic rigor (drawing from the author’s DBA thesis) with practical insights from policing. It critiques the lack of public consultation in surveillance projects while advocating for transparent governance and fundamental privacy protections.
Ideal for policymakers, legal experts, and scholars, the book sparks a critical dialogue on technology, human rights, and state power in the digital age.
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