In a major development for law enforcement, Karachi police have made the city’s first-ever arrest using facial recognition technology, marking a significant step toward the use of artificial intelligence in policing.
According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza, an emergency response vehicle (ERV) operator received a real-time alert from the system, which identified a motorcyclist with a known criminal record traveling through the South Zone. The alert immediately prompted police action.
The ERV team stopped the suspect and confirmed his identity through his computerized national identity card. He was identified as Abdul Azeem, a wanted criminal with six registered cases against him. These cases include attempted murder, possession of illegal weapons, armed encounters with police, rioting, and terrorism-related offenses. Authorities said the suspect had previously been declared an absconder in multiple investigations.
Officials called the arrest a breakthrough in Karachi’s fight against crime, highlighting the growing importance of facial recognition technology in improving surveillance and operational response. The new system, which uses AI-driven identification tools, allows police to track wanted individuals across the city in real time.
DIG Asad Raza stated that the facial recognition system has been recently integrated with Karachi Police’s digital infrastructure. It is now being tested across different zones to ensure faster identification of suspects and improved coordination between field officers and the central command.
Police sources added that the successful operation demonstrates the technology’s effectiveness in detecting and apprehending repeat offenders. Authorities plan to expand the use of AI-based surveillance tools to other high-crime areas in the coming months.
This marks the beginning of a new era for Karachi’s law enforcement, where modern facial recognition technology is expected to play a central role in enhancing public safety and reducing crime across the metropolis.
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