Pakistan to install face recognition system at airports with the help of Japanese grant

The Japanese government has agreed to provide 200 million Japanese Yen as funds for the establishment of Facial recognition systems at Pakistani airports.

A formal contract was signed between Takashi Kurai, the Japanese ambassador to Pakistan, and Economic Affairs Division (EAD) Secretary Tariq Bajwa this Monday to officiate the process. The grant is equivalent to Rs. 205 million and is associated with the “Economic and Social Development Program” of Japan. The Japanese ambassador also hoped that the initiative will further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries.

“Security enhancement is indispensable for successful socio-economic development in Pakistan,” said Mr. Kurai, this Japanese advanced system would serve the crime deterrent at the airport and would improve the security of passengers and people working at the airport.”

The facial recognition system is a system used to identify and verify an individual from a digital image, without any need of physical interactions.

The “Economic and Social Development Program” is an initiative of Japan towards developing countries by which it supports the economic and social development by strengthening their Security conditions. The Government of Japan pays exclusive heed to projects which might need advanced Japanese technologies.

Japan has been cooperating with Pakistan helping it to improve its security measures. The X-ray scanning devices have already been installed at three major international airports while the installations at Karachi and Bin Qasim International Ports are underway. Japan also contributed 123 Japanese Hybrid Vehicles to the Ministry of Interior and National Highway Police for patrolling last year.