The Punjab Safe Cities Authority has moved its AI-based ‘Talk to Camera’ system beyond trial runs, bringing the technology to major cities across the province after successful testing in Lahore and Sheikhupura.
The expansion marks a step forward in the government’s push to improve road safety and prevent incidents that have claimed lives in recent months.
Built under the chief minister’s vision for a safer Punjab, the system lets officials interact with the CCTV network through simple, natural language commands. Once activated, the AI scans live footage to detect risks such as open manholes, overflowing rubbish dumps, and smoke on the roads.
These dangers have become a pressing concern, especially after the tragic deaths of children in Karachi and Lodhran, who fell into uncovered manholes.
Officials say the goal is to prevent such incidents by spotting hazards early and alerting response teams before anyone gets hurt. The technology works around the clock, reviewing footage from thousands of cameras placed across busy roads and neighbourhoods.
Quicker alerts, faster decisions
Since its pilot phase, the system has shown that it can flag dangers within moments. Authorities are then able to dispatch teams to the exact location, helping reduce the chances of accidents involving pedestrians, motorcyclists, and daily commuters.
The authority considers the upgrade an important milestone in modernising city surveillance and improving public safety. With quicker decision-making and more consistent monitoring, officials hope the system will bring long-term improvements to road safety in both urban and suburban areas.
The initiative also raises a wider question. As Punjab moves ahead with AI-driven monitoring, residents wonder when cities like Karachi will adopt similar tools to address long-standing issues such as open manholes, poor waste management, and other common road hazards.
