Artificial Intelligence is increasingly getting incorporated as a transformative tool in governance and public safety worldwide, and its effectiveness is especially being recognised for developing nations like Pakistan, where policing is frequently constrained by finances and resources. In similar contexts, AI offers opportunities to enhance efficiency, improve crime prevention and strengthen community trust without requiring massive investments in personnel or infrastructure. AI can strategically support overburdened police forces by facilitating more intelligent and timely decision-making, affordable surveillance, and easily accessible reporting.

The outdated policing system in Pakistan underscores the urgent need for transformative tools like AI, which could introduce accuracy, efficiency and accountability into law enforcement practices. Currently, policing in Pakistan remains largely primitive, with modernisation limited to surface-level computerisation primarily restricted to record keeping. Basic global practices such as forensic evidence collection, maintenance of a credible chain of custody, authentication of document and systematic fingerprinting are still largely absent. Punjab stands as the only province with a relatively modern forensic lab, while other provinces rely on rudimentary facilities. Consequently, investigations often depend on unreliable witness statements and subjective opinions of investigating officers, lacking hard evidence. In some cases it allows criminals, who are serial offenders, to have cases against them quashed by judges and in other extreme cases, individuals face capital punishment through such flawed procedures,........

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