Government to use AI to update photographs of most-wanted criminals
Government to use AI to update photographs of most-wanted criminals
The federal government has decided to digitise the Red Book containing details of Pakistan’s most-wanted criminals, with plans to use artificial intelligence to update outdated photographs of suspects.
According to officials, many photographs currently included in the Red Book are several years old. Authorities plan to use modern technology to generate images showing what the wanted suspects could look like today, since appearance changes over time can make old photographs nearly useless for identification.
How age progression would work
The AI-generated images would reflect the suspects’ possible current appearance rather than serve as confirmed recent photographs. The technique, known as age progression, estimates how a person’s face changes with time and produces a new image based on the original.
The initiative is intended to help authorities identify and track suspects whose appearance may have changed since their original pictures were recorded. As part of the project, information about highly dangerous terrorists will also be integrated into a modern digital system.
No timeline or vendor named
Officials said the updated photographs and digitised records were aimed at making the Red Book more useful for identifying and tracking most-wanted suspects. However, the report did not specify a timeline for completing the digitisation process or identify the technology that would be used to generate the updated images.
Law enforcement agencies maintain the Red Book as the national record of Pakistan’s most-wanted criminals. A digital version with updated imagery would let field officers search and match suspects faster than the existing paper-based system allows.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Red Book?
The Red Book is the federal record containing details of Pakistan’s most-wanted criminals, traditionally maintained as a paper-based document.
How will AI be used?
Authorities plan to use AI age-progression technology to generate images showing what suspects with outdated photographs could look like today, helping police identify and track them.
Are the AI images confirmed photographs?
No. The AI-generated images would reflect the suspects’ possible current appearance rather than confirmed recent photographs.
Has a timeline been announced?
No. Officials have not specified when the digitisation will be completed or which technology vendor will be used.
