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Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Capital to get AI-powered crime watch
Figurines with computers and smartphones are seen in front of the words 'Artificial Intelligence AI' in this illustration taken, February 19, 2024. PHOTO: REUTERS No criminal entering the federal capital will be able to escape the eyes of the Safe City cameras. An additional 3,200 state-of-the-art cameras equipped with facial recognition and traffic violation detection features will soon be installed, significantly enhancing the Safe City project in Islamabad. The Director General of Islamabad Safe City, Shakir Hussain Dawar, shared this during a media briefing on Thursday with senior crime reporters. He said that a PC-1 worth Rs17.4 billion has been prepared and submitted to modernize the Safe City initiative. DG Dawar highlighted that in light of the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI), Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Islamabad IG Ali Nasir Rizvi are giving special attention to upgrading the Safe City infrastructure. Currently, 2,758 cameras are installed across the city, out of which 700 are AI-enabled. The planned addition of 3,200 advanced AI cameras will bring nearly 100% of Islamabad under camera surveillance, enabling authorities to maintain a comprehensive record of every individual entering the city. In addition to new cameras, seven high-powered servers are also being integrated into the system. These servers will enhance the capabilities of both new and existing cameras, enabling facial recognition, license plate detection, and other critical features. DG Dawar revealed that, thanks to the current surveillance system, 77 criminal gangs have been identified, and 32 have already been apprehended. The authorities are actively pursuing the remaining 45 gangs. Real-time monitoring is conducted at the Safe City headquarters, and any suspicious activity or individuals are immediately reported to field police units, often leading to swift arrests. He also mentioned that when the Safe City project was initially launched, only a few cameras had facial recognition capabilities. However, more advanced AI-enabled cameras have since been procured. With upcoming upgrades, cameras mounted on rooftops will be capable of capturing clear images of individuals inside moving vehicles, enabling precise identification. E-post checkpoints are also being utilized to monitor incoming and outgoing traffic. Over the past year, these systems have led to the arrest of 1,000 individuals wanted in various cases and the recovery of over 1,000 stolen vehicles. DG Dawar noted that vehicle thefts are more common in urban areas of Islamabad. Currently, the entire camera system is running on just two servers. Plans are underway to install 14 new, powerful, and expensive servers, which will allow even older, non-AI cameras to function with AI capabilities. Furthermore, new fiber optic cables are being laid throughout the city to support this expanded infrastructure. These efforts are aimed at enhancing public safety and enabling faster apprehension of criminals. He added that suspects involved in several recent high-profile crimes have been arrested through the help of AI technology and surveillance footage. The system automatically generates alerts if any known criminal enters the camera range. "About 60-70% of criminals in Islamabad come from outside the city, which is why we are focusing more on the entry and exit points of the capital," he said.
India Today
20-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Pakistan faces internal uproar after drone strike kills four children
While Pakistan continues to operate covert espionage networks beyond its borders, the country is now grappling with a national crisis at home. A Pakistani drone strike in the Hurmuz area of North Waziristan's Mir Ali district has reportedly killed four children from the same family, triggering a wave of anger and grief across the to local reports, the airstrike was carried out by the Pakistan Air Force on Monday under the pretext of targeting militants. However, tragic visuals from the site show the bodies of young children who were playing outdoors when the bombs fell—raising serious questions about civilian safety and the army's rules of FUELS PROTESTSThe graphic images from the strike site have gone viral, sparking massive protests in the region. Residents of Hurmuz and surrounding areas gathered to demonstrate against the Pakistani Army's actions, accusing the military of using excessive force and indiscriminately targeting civilians under the guise of counterterrorism community leaders, and civil society members have strongly condemned the attack. Human rights groups have called for an independent investigation and demanded accountability from both the military and the federal INJURED, INCLUDING A WOMAN AND CHILDRENIn addition to the four children killed, five more civilians—including another child and a woman—were seriously injured in the strike. They were rushed to a local hospital in Mir Ali, where they remain under medical AVOIDS QUESTIONS ON CIVILIAN DEATHSPakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif refused to answer questions about the strike. When approached by a journalist seeking comment on the killing of Pashtun children in Mir Ali, he abruptly walked away—igniting further criticism over the government's silence and perceived indifference. KP MINISTER CONDEMNS ATTACK, VOWS ACTIONKhyber Pakhtunkhwa Relief Minister Haji Nek Muhammad Dawar on Monday strongly condemned the deaths of children and injuries to women from the alleged drone strike in North Waziristan. In a Facebook post, Dawar wrote:'I have already clearly said on the floor of the KP Assembly that all types of operations and war operations should be kept away from civilian populations, so that the common people, especially innocent women and children, are not harmed.'Speaking to Pakistan's Dawn newspaper, Dawar added: 'We will raise our voice at every forum and make every effort to bring those responsible to justice.'CALLS FOR RETHINKING DRONE STRATEGYPakistan's Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also weighed in on the incident during a session in Pakistan's National Assembly. He offered what he called 'positive advice' to the government, urging introspection within both the ruling establishment and the military.'The rulers and the establishment need to think about giving strength, reassurance, and confidence to the nation,' he said.'If today, drones still fall in Waziristan [] how will we respond to the people? These are sensitive matters and should be reconsidered. We cannot maintain national unity without thinking about this.' His remarks echoed a growing sentiment that the government's use of force in already fragile tribal regions could further alienate communities and erode public VOICES STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH PASHTUNSProminent Baloch writer and activist Mir Yar Baloch also condemned the airstrike, calling it a brutal act by Pakistan's "radicalised military establishment."'These children had dreams—to study, to laugh, to live. But Pakistan's military robbed them of their future,' Baloch said in a expressed solidarity with the Pashtun community and called on all oppressed voices within Pakistan to unite against military UNDER FIRE AMID ESPIONAGE ACCUSATIONSThis incident comes at a time when Pakistan's military is already under international scrutiny for its involvement in espionage activities, including attempts to run spy networks in India. The drone strike has intensified internal dissent, with opposition leaders and human rights advocates questioning the unchecked power of the military and the silence of the civilian InMust Watch advertisement
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
As mayor's husband named adviser, it's Cong taking aim at ‘parivarvaad'
Gurgaon: The appointment of newly elected MCG mayor Raj Rani Malhotra 's husband Tilakraj Malhotra as an adviser in her office is raising eyebrows and drawing political heat. Congress on Tuesday said it will submit a formal memorandum to the deputy commissioner next week to challenge the legality and propriety of the appointment of Tilakraj, who happens to be a former BJP district president. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Tilakraj was named as an adviser to the mayor in a letter issued on April 21 by MCG commissioner Ashok Garg. The letter said that his position was "honorary", with no financial benefits. Senior Congress functionary Pankaj Dawar said the appointment was a blatant case of "nepotism" and "parivarvaad" – a term often used by the BJP leadership to criticise the Gandhi family for what they call dynastic politics. "There is no provision that allows a mayor to appoint a family member, particularly a spouse, to an advisory role — honorary or otherwise. This move violates the principles of fair governance and may not stand scrutiny under the Haryana Municipal Corporation Act," Dawar said on Tuesday. The controversy comes at a time when the mayor's election is under scrutiny over allegations that she and her Congress rival submitted fake caste certificates. MCG's mayoral position was reserved for a woman candidate from the backward class (A) category in civic polls held this March. Punjab and Haryana high court earlier this month issued a notice to the mayor over a petition challenging her election. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for May 22. Raj Rani and Tilakraj refused to comment on the controversy on Tuesday, but the mayor told TOI that her husband has not yet assumed responsibilities as adviser. Dawar alleged that such an appointment had broader implications on gender representation in politics. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "It is detrimental to the idea of women's empowerment. Today, the mayor has appointed her husband as an adviser. Tomorrow, women councillors might follow suit. This will erode the accountability of elected representatives," he said. He said BJP claimed to be opposed to dynastic politics, but this appointment "exposes" their "true nature". "The mayor, who was imposed on Gurgaon as a dummy candidate with no administrative experience and no agenda during the campaign, has now handed over decision-making responsibilities to her husband. This is not governance, it is betrayal," Dawar said. Raj Rani (66) trounced her Congress rival Seema Pahuja by a margin of 1.8 lakh votes to become the city's mayor. A BJP source said "discontent" over Tilakraj's appointment was not limited to the opposition. "A faction within the party is unhappy with the development, They believe it was an avoidable misstep that has handed an unnecessary talking point to the opposition," the source said.
Gulf Today
28-04-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
Pakistan's hospital starts administering new injection to save stroke-hit patients
ISLAMABAD: The Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) Peshawar has started administering a new injection to save lives of stroke-hit patients. "A 60-year-old patient, who has been administered the injection, is doing well as she was brought to the hospital within one hour of the attack and therefore stood better chances of recovery,' KTH medical director Dr Sajjadullah Dawar said, according to a report. He said that patients should reach hospital ideally within three hours of the stroke attack but the result of patients visiting the health facility within four to five hours was also good. Dr Dawar, a neurosurgeon, said that they got stock of the medicine from the hospital's funds to be provided free of cost to patients. "Meanwhile, the government has agreed to include this drug in the Sehat Card Plus (SCP) scheme so that people could benefit from it in the long-run,' he said. A volunteer of the Edhi Foundation sprays water on a passerby's head to cool off on a hot summer day along a road in Karachi. AFP The administration of the injection has already been started in Hayatabad Medical Complex and Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar that helped scores of stroke-hit people to recover. However, both LRH and Hayat Medical Complex administrations have been requesting the government to provide it on SCP because it is very expensive and the majority of patients cannot afford it. Dr Dawar said that the government would soon announce to cover the cost of new therapy under SCP to ensure provision of smooth services to patients. LRH and HMC have been providing the injection to patients on a cost-sharing basis. However, it has been provided totally free to some deserving patients but its inclusion in SCP will make this drug available to all the patients who need it. He said that they had developed proper protocol and a team of specialist doctors to ensure that the new medical technique for free treatment of patients suffering from stroke helped people. "The injection is known for saving lives of patients and protecting them from disabilities caused by stroke,' said Dr Dawar. He said that the tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) injection was used in hyper acute stroke within three hours to open up clotted arteries and was administered to patients after a very careful selection process. "So far, results are excellent as most of the patients, who received it in LRH and HMC, have recovered,' he said and added that people should bear in mind that patients should be brought to hospitals immediately. He said that stroke was a sudden onset of weakness in limbs or face, which was the most disabling disease of the world.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- The Hindu
Four tribal girls gang raped in M.P.'s Balaghat; police nab seven men
Seven men were arrested on Friday (April 25, 2025) for allegedly gang raping four tribal girls, including three minors, when they were returning from a wedding in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat district, police said. According to the police, the horrific incident took place on April 23 around 1 a.m. in the Hatta police station area when the four girls, who were returning from a wedding, were abducted by the men and taken to the nearby woods. Balaghat Additional Superintendent of Police Vijay Dawar told The Hindu that one of the accused was below 18 years while the other six were adults, and that they also beat up the girls' uncle who had accompanied them. The accused belong to the OBC community, he said. A case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 351, 70(1) (2), and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was filed based on a complaint from the survivors' families. The girls were aged 13, 15, 16, and 21 years. He said that the complaint was received on Friday morning and the accused were nabbed in the evening. 'We have brought the girls to the hospital for their medical examinations,' he said. Mr. Dawar said that the girls were from Duglai village and the accused hailed from neighbouring Bhagatpur, and that the girl's knew one of the accused as their families worked as farm workers in his fields. 'The girls had gone to attend a wedding in Thakur Tola village. While returning when they were crossing Bhagatpur, the men caught hold of them, beat up the uncle and took the girls and gang raped them,' he said. Another police officer at the station said that the accused had also attended the same wedding and had chased after the girls on their bikes. 'They hit one of the bikes the girls were travelling to stop them,' he said, requesting anonymity.
