AI-enabled Intelligence System to Strengthen Punjab’s Security Response: CM
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif stated that the establishment of the Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Center (PIFTAC) and the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub will considerably enhance Punjab's capacity to:
- Anticipate Threats
- Improve Coordination among Security Agencies
- Ensure Timely Responses to emerging challenges.
Launch Events
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of PIFTAC and the e-launch of the AI Hub in Lahore on Saturday, Sharif highlighted that Punjab is the first province in Pakistan to establish an AI Hub, achieved in record time. She expressed gratitude to the Pakistan Army for their cooperation and thanked Lahore Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Fayyaz Hussain Shah for his support.
Achievements & Appreciations
The CM also congratulated Home Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, Home Secretary Ahmad Javed Qazi, and other officials for their role in establishing the AI Hub swiftly. She acknowledged the collaboration between the police, Special Branch, and other law-enforcement agencies in protecting citizens and maintaining law and order.
Addressing Challenges
Sharif noted Punjab's prompt response to recent heavy rains, despite shortcomings in sewerage and drainage systems. She emphasized that while rehabilitation of these systems required substantial investment, the AI system would aid in issuing digital alerts to district coordination committees, enabling proactive problem-solving.
Emphasis on Law & Order
Law and order, Sharif stressed, are paramount alongside development projects. She highlighted a 70% decline in crime rates in Punjab, attributing it to a proactive approach focusing on prevention rather than merely reaction.
The CM highlighted security enhancements, including:
- Joint Check Posts strengthened with bulletproof thermal and night-vision cameras.
- Improved security in vulnerable areas.
- Enhanced capabilities for security personnel, noting the need for better equipment to counter increasingly well-armed criminals and terrorists.