Karachi: Sindh government decided to install automatic numberplate recognition cameras (ANPR) at entry and exit points of toll plazas across province to fight crime.

Decision was made during meeting of Cabinet presided over by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. It was attended by provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, Chairman Planning and Development Department Hassan Naqvi, Principal Secretary to CM Fayaz Jatoi, and other concerned officers.

During meeting, provincial home department informed Cabinet that smart surveillance cameras would take pictures of cars’ number plates and people sitting in front seats. Cameras would read number plates’ characters to identify vehicles and use face recognition features to identify passengers, according to statement issued after meeting.

Pictures would be sent to Central Police Office’s central monitoring room in real-time. Home department said project would help prevent and detect crime by identifying vehicles linked to crimes, including thievery and hit-and-run and provide early warning of suspicious vehicles entering city. Cameras would also have capacity to identify suspects associated with particular vehicle by using facial recognition features and tracking their movements.

CM Shah said project would cost around Rs 1.57 billion and he was ready to arrange funds after Cabinet’s approval. He shared that Sindh Police believed project should be executed on government-to-government basis to maintain integrity and security. Following Cabinet’s approval of project, Shah directed chief secretary to hire consultant immediately and award contract for project within month.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 28 2023

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