ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) based system to track down criminals by visualising their appearance in real time, it emerged on Sunday.

Speaking to Dawn, FIA Director General (DG) Dr Usmar Anwar said that the agency’s red book, containing details of most wanted criminals, was being updated with features, employing AI-based tools to generate a set of fresh visuals of their appearance based on old photographs.

Even if the criminal has gone bald by now or sports a beard, the agency will now be able to track their identity. DG Anwar told Dawn that under the new system, it would be “impossible” for criminals to hide their identity by changing physical appearance.

The other features of the modern red book to be available online to all FIA officers concerned — as well as the general public — also include details about family members and known associates of the accused; CNIC, passport and cellular phone numbers; distinguishing marks, bank account details; information on first information reports (FIRS); and status of court cases against them.

Speaking to Dawn, the FIA chief said that the updated red book will also include the modus operandi and areas of operation of human smugglers, including the routes they use and their last known location.

A total of 143 human traffickers wanted in different cases registered in FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking circles are listed in the red book, he added.

He stressed that digital transformation was a key pillar of the FIA’s reform and modernisation agenda.

Anwar said the use of modern technology not only helps suppress crimes but also enhances transparency, efficiency, supervision, and data-driven decision-making.

He asserted that initiatives were focused on replacing manual, fragmented processes with integrated digital systems, enabling real-time oversight, improving record integrity, and strengthening inter-agency connectivity.

“Through systematic digitisation of investigations, inspections, accountability, and human resources processes, FIA has moved toward institutionalising e-governance and modern law enforcement practices,” he remarked.

The FIA DG said an internal accountability mechanism involving digitised processes, including fact-finding inquiries and departmental proceedings, was already in place and will be further strengthened.

Anwar also shared that the Centralised Immigration Monitoring and Control Centre at FIA headquarters was being upgraded and relocated as well.

Responding to a question on capsizing incidents of migrant boats, he maintained that the FIA was taking strict measures to prevent such incidents.

In that regard, he stated that the legal framework had been strengthened and a crackdown against human smugglers continued. He added that FIA officials who were found negligent were reprimanded.

He also appealed to the youth desperate for jobs to seek legal pathways and avoid risking their lives.