Bangladesh’s reported interest in adopting Pakistan’s Safe City model for urban security has sparked debate over the project's effectiveness and long-term value. Questions have emerged following media reports and audit findings highlighting operational shortcomings in Pakistan’s implementation. Home Affairs Adviser Salahuddin Ahmed recently referred to Pakistan’s Safe City initiative as a possible model for enhancing urban surveillance and public security in Bangladesh. The issue was also discussed during bilateral meetings on security technology, while Bangladeshi officials previously visited Safe City projects in several Pakistani cities. According to Pakistani media reports and audit findings, a significant number of CCTV cameras installed under the Lahore Safe City project remained non-functional despite substantial public investment. Following the 2022 bombing at Lahore’s Anarkali Bazaar, investigators reportedly relied on footage from privately owned surveillance cameras after government-operated cameras failed to provide sufficient evidence. Reports also cited power-related disruptions and maintenance deficiencies that affected the system’s overall performance. Security analysts argue that an effective smart surveillance system requires far more than installing cameras. Reliable electricity, secure data infrastructure, cybersecurity, skilled personnel, regular maintenance, and rapid data analysis are all essential for success. They maintain that decisions on public security projects should be guided by technical capability, international standards, cost-effectiveness, and proven performance rather than by political or diplomatic considerations. The Bangladeshi government has not yet publicly outlined detailed implementation plans for the proposed model.