K-P police launch first AI security control system in Pakistan

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police have unveiled a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) security control system in Peshawar, the first of its kind in the country.

Developed at the Central Police Office, the system has commenced data and face detection analysis of approximately 57,000 individuals entering the city’s red zone on a daily basis.

The AI security system will gather and process data on every person, vehicle, and motorcycle entering the red zone, which includes prominent locations such as the Central Jail, Police Line, Corps Commander's House, Central Police Office, Civil Secretariat, Governor's House, and Chief Minister's House.

Notably, for the first time, the system has incorporated data on female militants, terrorists, and criminals in its database. In the event of any such suspicious individual entering the red zone, an alarm will trigger, immediately alerting the nearest police check post.

Furthermore, the AI intelligence system will also keep a record of birds entering the red zone, further enhancing security measures. The implementation of this cutting-edge technology aims to strengthen security and surveillance within the red zone, ensuring the safety of high-profile locations.

Inspector General (IG) of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police, Akhtar Hayat Khan, while speaking to The Express Tribune highlighted the significance of this technological advancement in improving security measures. He emphasized that this project, the first of its kind in Pakistan, was made possible through the cooperation of various security forces.

Many countries around the world have implemented similar technology-based systems to manage traffic and enhance security control by keeping comprehensive data on individuals entering cities. In the initial phase, the AI technology security system has been introduced in Peshawar, and subsequent phases will extend its coverage to Balahisar Fort and other parts of the Cantonment area.

IG Akhtar Hayat Khan further explained that the AI system will revolutionise the investigation process, which traditionally relies on retrieving footage from CCTV cameras, often leading to delays and obstacles. With the new AI system, crucial data can be accessed in real-time, enabling swift action and arrest of suspects, he asserted. The system's integration into the red zone and sensitive buildings is expected to bring about a significant transformation in the security apparatus, he added.

Senior officer of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police and CCPO Peshawar, Syed Ashfaq Anwar, who has participated in several international-level security conferences with police from the US and UK, highlighted the effectiveness of AI-driven surveillance systems. He, while speaking to The Express Tribune, compared the situation to that of America, where security lights are not ubiquitous in public squares or markets due to the presence of widespread CCTV camera coverage.

With this level of surveillance, individuals cannot easily evade the law. Police officers can quickly retrieve vehicle records, employee details, work information, and even bank accounts from laptops installed in their patrol cars, he explained.

Anwar emphasised that the deployment of AI-based security systems and the development of Smart Cities are essential for reducing crime. Drawing a parallel with London, where numerous cameras are installed throughout the city, he explained that criminals have little chance of evading the watchful eye of law enforcement. With the help of technology, crimes can be swiftly addressed, and arrests can be made within hours of an incident.

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In Peshawar, approximately 350 CCTV cameras equipped with AI security systems have been installed around sensitive buildings. The AI system can identify individuals wearing masks or helmets by cross-referencing their faces with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) records. Moreover, during security checks, individuals wearing helmets or masks will not be permitted to proceed.

Naveed Khan, the IT Director of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police, speaking to The Express Tribune explained that the AI system incorporates sophisticated surveillance features. "Red lines" have been marked on the walls of police lines, prisons, and sensitive buildings, which are imperceptible to the human eye. “If an individual crosses these lines, attempts to scale a wall or roof instead of using a designated entrance, or engages in any suspicious activity, an automatic alarm will activate, immediately notifying Quick Response Teams for swift action.”