Karachi has recently taken a significant step towards enhancing public safety with the launch of the first phase of its Safe City Project. This initiative includes the installation of surveillance cameras mounted on 43 poles dispersed throughout the city, with initial deployment involving five poles housing 25 cameras. The footage from these cameras is transmitted in real-time to the Central Police Office (CPO) Command and Control Center, enabling local law enforcement to monitor activities and respond promptly to criminal activities. The project aims to reduce crime rates and improve public safety through the integration of advanced surveillance technologies. Moving forward, there are plans to extend the reach of the Safe City Project with more cameras and cutting-edge monitoring technology across Karachi.
In an exclusive interview with Biometric Update, Asif Aijaz Shaikh, the director general of the Sindh Safe City Project Karachi, elaborated on the advanced technologies employed in the initiative. The project is designed to ensure high accuracy in facial recognition and vehicle identification through the use of high-resolution cameras and AI-based algorithms. Features such as multiple-angle capture, big data analytics, and real-time data processing are integral to the project, creating a comprehensive framework for monitoring urban security. This combination of digital tools aims to significantly bolster the capabilities of law enforcement in Karachi.
The use of advanced surveillance systems in the Safe City Project represents a paradigm shift in how security is managed within urban settings. These systems include not only facial recognition but also automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technologies. Such tools allow law enforcement agencies to identify criminal suspects, monitor suspicious activities, and pinpoint vehicles of interest as events unfold in real time. The reliance on AI-powered cameras facilitates proactive monitoring in high-risk areas, thereby enhancing situational awareness and expediting emergency responses. The project integrates various digital innovations, such as RFID tags and smart ID cards, to streamline identity verification processes and reduce human error during data handling.
The progress made in the rollout of the first phase of the Safe City Project is noteworthy. The Inspector General of Police has briefed Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali on the current status, which includes plans for 1,300 camera installations at critical locations. So far, significant groundwork has been laid, with surveys completed at 300 pole sites and the construction of excavations and foundations at 200 of these sites. With 50 poles already installed, the CPO Control Room and Data Center have received essential equipment, including live surveillance capabilities through 35 operational cameras at seven locations. Additionally, emergency response vehicles have been ordered to support the initiative.
The integration of intelligent surveillance technologies marks a critical advancement in the police enforcement landscape in Karachi. The use of AI-driven cameras equipped with night vision and real-time tracking capabilities allows law enforcement to identify and pursue suspects more efficiently, thereby improving crime prevention and public safety in high-risk areas. Shaikh reiterates that these AI technologies enhance the traditional policing methodologies by providing faster, more accurate responses to potential incidents through various advanced functionalities such as crowd and traffic monitoring, perimeter security, and anomaly detection.
Despite the evident benefits, the integration of such advanced surveillance technologies does raise concerns regarding data privacy and ethical considerations. Shaikh emphasized the importance of establishing robust regulatory frameworks and safeguards around data utilization in the project. Central to this effort is NADRA, which ensures secure identity verification while adhering to legal standards. The project’s approach involves clear accountability measures to mitigate potential misuse of data, thereby fostering public trust in the surveillance systems. Looking ahead, the Safe City Project is set to expand in phases over the next three years, incorporating additional technologies such as intelligent traffic management and an integrated command and control center, further cementing Karachi’s commitment to enhancing urban security.