Karachi’s traffic police have introduced an innovative surveillance system designed to identify vehicles operating with fraudulent or altered license plates. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Pir Muhammad Shah has detailed how this technology will enhance law enforcement capabilities throughout the city.
During a recent appearance on the ARY Podcast, DIG Shah explained the system’s capacity to detect mismatched vehicle registrations. He provided specific examples where the technology immediately identifies vehicles using license plates registered to completely different automobile models.
The senior traffic official described a recent incident where police stopped a vehicle with illegally tinted windows. Upon verification, authorities discovered the Excise Department contained no registration records matching the vehicle’s displayed license plate.
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Further investigation revealed the Vigo vehicle was operating with a license plate officially registered to an FX model automobile. The advanced surveillance technology detected this discrepancy instantly, enabling immediate intervention by law enforcement.
DIG Shah emphasised that such violations are now detected within seconds, rather than requiring prolonged investigation. The system’s efficiency represents a substantial improvement over previous manual verification methods. This traffic surveillance technology forms part of Karachi’s comprehensive Safe City project. The initiative will deploy intelligent surveillance vehicles at major intersections throughout the metropolitan area.
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These systems will continuously monitor vehicular movement across the city. Any suspicious activity triggers immediate real-time alerts through connected camera networks, enabling rapid police response and vehicle interception.
According to DIG Shah, the fully operational system will significantly contribute to reducing street crime throughout Karachi. The technology will particularly enhance the recovery process for stolen and snatched vehicles. The traffic official expressed confidence that demonstrating the system’s effectiveness will generate increased public support and government investment. He noted that Karachi ultimately requires approximately 24,000 surveillance cameras for comprehensive coverage.
