Pakistan to Use AI to Update Photos of Most-Wanted Criminals in Red Book
ISLAMABAD: The federal government of Pakistan has announced a landmark decision to digitize the infamous “Red Book”—the official directory containing details of the country’s most-wanted criminals—and deploy artificial intelligence (AI) to update aging photographs of fugitives. This technological overhaul aims to modernize the country’s law enforcement capabilities and enhance the tracking of high-profile suspects who have evaded justice for years.
Under the new initiative, the Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with federal tech agencies, will utilize advanced AI algorithms to age-progress and reconstruct low-resolution or outdated images of wanted terrorists and criminals. The digitized Red Book will be transformed into an interactive, real-time database accessible to provincial police departments, border control authorities, and international law enforcement agencies like Interpol. This replaces the traditional, slow-to-update printed registry that often hindered rapid identification at transit points.
The integration of AI into Pakistan’s security apparatus represents a significant shift toward data-driven policing. By generating highly accurate, age-progressed facial profiles, security forces can significantly reduce the chances of fugitives slipping through security checkpoints using forged identities or altered physical appearances. Furthermore, this digital transition is expected to bolster counter-terrorism efforts and improve regional security cooperation by facilitating seamless data sharing across borders.
The National Police Bureau (NPB) and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) are expected to spearhead the technical execution of this project. Officials indicate that the first phase of the digitized Red Book, featuring the updated AI-generated profiles of top-tier suspects, will be rolled out to key airports and border crossings within the coming months, followed by a comprehensive mobile application for field officers.