AI-Driven ‘Sky Eye’ Transforms Islamabad into Safe City

APP

Islamabad: In a city once haunted by unsolved murders and rising crime, Islamabad’s AI-powered ‘Sky Eye’ surveillance system has emerged as a game-changer in modern policing, enabling over 2,700 arrests and helping the capital climb to 93rd on the Global Safe City Index — the highest for any Pakistani city.

From cracking blind murder cases to recovering abducted children within hours, the system is quietly transforming public safety. Powered by 1,800+ high-resolution cameras, facial recognition, vehicle tracking, and AI-based predictive analysis, Sky Eye is now integral to crime prevention efforts across the capital.

One high-profile success was the arrest of Abdullah’s killer in G-10. With no eyewitnesses and only blurry CCTV footage available, Sky Eye’s AI-driven face-matching technology led police to the suspect within 48 hours.

In another case, the system tracked a man abducting a six-year-old girl in I-9. “The child was rescued the same day after Sky Eye triggered license plate and movement alerts,” said an ICT police official.

The system also played a crucial role in solving a blind murder in Mansehra, identifying suspects—including a former police officer—through movement history and facial mapping.

Officials say that over 140 cases have been solved using purely technical evidence, while 350 domestic workers have been registered through digital background checks. Nearly Rs 12 crore worth of stolen property has also been recovered.

During Muharram, IGP Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi supervised the surveillance of over 900 processions and majalis without a single major incident. “This transformation is not accidental; it’s the result of strategic innovation in policing,” he stated.

The AI system also allows real-time suspect verification during patrols and has become a cornerstone of the city’s justice system. “Sky Eye footage now serves as primary evidence in hundreds of court cases, accelerating trials and convictions,” said a police spokesperson.

Citizens are reporting increased confidence in public safety. “Earlier, we feared going out after dark. Now my children feel safe,” said Saba Iqbal, a resident of G-13.

Calling it a “revolution in public safety,” IGP Rizvi announced plans to further expand the system and offer it as a model for other cities in Pakistan. With thousands of arrests, lives saved, and crime deterred, Sky Eye is proving to be far more than just surveillance — it’s becoming Islamabad’s digital guardian of justice.