In a major leap towards technology-driven policing, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered system capable of identifying fugitives in real time by reconstructing and updating their appearance, making it increasingly difficult for criminals to evade detection.
The development comes as the agency upgrades its traditional “red book” of most wanted suspects to a dynamic, digitized platform.
FIA Director General Dr. Usman Anwar said the revamped system uses AI-based tools to generate updated visual profiles of suspects based on older photographs, allowing authorities to track individuals even if they have significantly changed their appearance.
He noted that whether a suspect has gone bald or grown a beard, the system can still identify them, adding that it would now be “impossible” for criminals to hide their identity through physical changes.
The modernized Red Book, which will be available online to FIA officials and partly to the public, goes beyond visual identification.
It includes detailed profiles of suspects covering family members and known partners, CNIC and passport data, mobile phone numbers, distinguishing marks, bank account details, FIR registrations and status of court cases.
The database also maps the human traffickers’ modus operandi, including their operational routes and last known locations.
According to the FIA chief, 143 human traffickers wanted in various cases across the agency’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circles are currently listed in the system.
