Punjab Introduces Province-Wide ‘Talk to Camera’ AI Monitoring System

Punjab has started province wide deployment of its new AI powered monitoring system, Talk to Camera, after a seven year old boy tragically died by falling into an open manhole. The government says the system will help detect hazards in real time and prevent such incidents in the future.

The initiative was accelerated following last week’s accident on the Kahror Pacca-Lodhran Highway, where the child lost his life due to an uncovered manhole. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed authorities to fast-track technological safety upgrades across cities.

What the New AI System Does

Developed by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA), the Talk to Camera system uses AI to scan public areas and flag dangers such as open manholes, overflowing garbage, smoke, blocked pathways, and other safety risks. Officials say the system responds instantly, sending alerts to the relevant department for quick action.

Insights From the Image Results

The AI system has already started detecting hazards across roads.
In one sample incident, the AI flagged an open manhole on a road surface, recording the location and timestamp.
In another result, it detected a missing manhole cover on Sarfraz Rafique Road, again generating automated alerts with coordinates.

Officials say this shows the AI’s capability to recognize hazards accurately and consistently.

CM Maryam Nawaz’s Statement

Maryam Nawaz stated that officers can now query the entire camera network using simple natural-language commands, allowing them to instantly locate safety risks such as “manholes with missing covers” or “areas with smoke.”

Rollout Across Punjab

The system was initially tested in Lahore and Sheikhupura, where it delivered strong results. After successful trials, the government approved its expansion to all major cities in Punjab to improve response times and support safer public-space management.

The initiative is part of Punjab’s wider effort to prevent avoidable accidents and make city surveillance more effective through modern AI tools.