Demand for security devices increases

Demand for surveillance equipment and CCTV cameras in the city has gone through the ceiling. "We are not only receiving huge number of inquiries about CCTVs and accompanying video recorders from schools but other organisations as well," said Mohammad Anwar, who runs a security gadgets shop.
He said that the current stock of the equipment in the city was not sufficient to meet the demand, which he added had increased in the wake of the government guidelines about security measures. Many dealers had also begun marketing their services and equipment, particularly targeting schools, he added.
Another dealer said that the sale of surveillance equipment had increased following the terrorists attack on Army Public School in Peshawar. Besides, people were realising that these equipment were affordable, therefore, the demand had risen phenomenally in the last few days, he added. He said he was receiving calls on daily basis from different parts of the country regarding our products and services.
Another dealer also said that the demand for security equipment had increased manyfold after the attack of APS in Peshawar. "Before the attack, there was lack of interest in the security products, but now people have become more cautious about their safety and security," he added.
He said that apart from government institutions, private organisations, cinemas, food outlets and big shops were purchasing security devices. "The security products business is currently at its peak," he added. He further said that devices like CCTV cameras, night-vision cameras, mini-cameras, security alarms, walk-through gates and intercoms were in great demand these days. He said majority of the security gadgets were China-made but were being sold at exorbitant prices due to lack of knowledge on the part of the general public.
He said that there were still large number of public and private organisations in the city that had not yet installed such devices despite being vulnerable to attacks. Most of the traders said that there was no manufacturing facility of CCTV cameras in the country; therefore, they imported the same from countries like China, Taiwan and Malaysia besides from the US and European countries.
In terms of sales, the Chinese CCTV cameras are selling like hot cakes and the dealers said their sales had increased considerably during the last few days. The price of CCTV cameras ranges between Rs 5,500 and Rs 10,000 depending on the brand. Similarly, high quality zooming cameras are being sold at Rs 30,000 to Rs 100,000 and above in the market. Currently walk-through gates are being sold at over Rs 155,000 and hand metal detectors at Rs 2,500 and above.