Facial Recognition Helps Karachi Police Make First Major Arrest

Karachi has recorded its first arrest using facial recognition technology, a milestone that highlights the city’s growing reliance on artificial intelligence for policing and public safety. Police officials confirmed on Monday that the system successfully identified a suspect with a criminal background in real time.

According to Deputy Inspector General Syed Asad Raza, an emergency response vehicle (ERV) operator received an alert from the AI-based system when it detected a motorcyclist matching the profile of a wanted man moving through Karachi’s South Zone. The exact location of the detection was not revealed.

Responding immediately, the ERV team intercepted the suspect and confirmed his identity through his computerized national identity card. The man was identified as Abdul Azeem, who has six criminal cases registered against him. These include attempted murder, possession of illegal weapons, terrorism, rioting, and armed encounters with police. Officials said he had also been declared an absconder in previous investigations.

Police sources reported that Azeem was arrested without resistance and later shifted to the concerned police station for further legal action. Authorities described the arrest as a major achievement for Karachi police, reflecting how facial recognition and digital surveillance tools can strengthen law enforcement efforts against fugitives and repeat offenders.

Officials further revealed that the facial recognition system, recently linked with the police’s central digital network, is now being tested in several zones across Karachi. The technology aims to speed up suspect identification and improve real-time monitoring during patrol operations.