Japan grants Rs 205m to install Face Recognition System at airports in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - The Government of Japan on Monday agreed to extend a grant for the "Economic and Social Development Programme" worth 200 million Japanese Yen, equivalent to around Rs 205 million to install a Face Recognition System at airports for the improvement of security in Pakistan.

The Face Recognition System is a computer application capable of identifying or verifying an individual from a digital image ofa human face captured by video cameras.

Recently, it has been utilized to a great extent in security systems due to its capacity for mass identification and easy verification without the need for physical interaction with the subject.

Consequently, this system has been adopted at mass transit locations like airports in many countries.

The signing for the project took place between Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Takashi Kurai and Secretary of Economic Affairs Division (EAD),Tariq Bajwa.

This grant is designed to promote the economic and social development of developing countries in the field of security improvement and counterterrorism by providing equipment in which Japanese advanced technologies are used.

It is supposed to provide an Advanced Face Recognition System to Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), upon its request. Further details of the procurement will be determined between the Japanese and Pakistani counterparts.

In addition to this project, Japan has been assisting Pakistan with the implementation of various projects in the field of security.

The X-ray scanning devices have been installed at three international airports (Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad) and similar projects are now underway at Karachi and Bin Qasim International Ports.

Last year, Japan handed over 123 Japanese Hybrid Vehicles to the Ministry of Interior and National Highway Police for patrolling.

Moreover, in collaboration with UNODC Pakistan, a 4-year project on strengthening border management and illegal drug control was initiated this May.

At the signing ceremony, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Takashi Kurai said: "Security enhancement is indispensable for successful socio-economic development in Pakistan."

"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," he added.