n order to keep up with the rapidly changing world of technology, the Special Branch, a pivotal intelligence segment of the Punjab Police, has shifted its manual reporting system to Automated Intelligence Reporting System. The project is a collaboration with Confiz, a private technology services company.

The stated aim of this initiative is to revolutionise the system of gathering sensitive information from across Punjab by employing cutting-edge technology.

The AIRS is expected to enhance the Special Branch’s ability to collect information on a quick and reliant basis and build a huge database that will be available/ accessible round-the-clock for analysis as well as research purposes.

The question arises as to how effective this digitalised database will be for monitoring and surveillance of terrorism and other heinous crimes in the province in general and Lahore in particular. Moreover, if this experiment succeeds, will it be implemented in other intelligence agencies? It also begs the question whether digitalisation on a large scale could have a negative impact as far as the workforce is concerned.

At the launching ceremony of the AIRS recently, Additional IG Special Branch Zulfiqar Hameed; COO of Confiz, Hashim Ali; and partner and founder of Confiz, Zartash Uzmi were in attendance, among others. Hameed commended Confiz’s efforts in bringing his vision to reality. He was hopeful that the AIRS would go a long way to revolutionise the cops’ performance and capacity. Ali applauded the efforts to transform the Police Department in line with the needs of the modern world so that they could serve the public better.

Speaking exclusively to TNS, Hameed said the transition of official work from manual to the AIRS was the need of the hour. The AIRS will automate the field intelligence reports from across the province, besides creating a database for future referencing, he added. “The implementation of the AIRS will not only enhance our operational efficiency, it will also enable the Special Branch staff to analyse and make timely decisions more accurately on various challenges facing the prime intelligence agency of the Punjab Police.”

The question arises as to how effective this digitalised database will be for monitoring and surveillance of terrorism and other heinous crimes in the province in general and Lahore in particular. Moreover, if this experiment succeeds, will the system be replicated in other intelligence agencies?

The Additional IG revealed that special arrangements had been made to secure the data from hackers. “It’s a great step towards a future of enhanced operational efficiency, quick response times, and data-driven decision-making. This state-of-the art project will testify our commitment to modernisation and continuous advancement.

He said that when he took charge as Additional IG, most of the office work would be performed manually. At that time, the Special Branch headquarters would receive over 600 fax messages containing important and sensitive information from across the province every day. “Humanly, it isn’t possible to sort, read and minutely analyse each and every report in a short span of time. Consequently, a lot of data was lost,” he added.

With the AIRS, all the important data would make it to a safe and secure, centralised database which would be available even two or three decades down the line. Thanks to the centralised database, the reports were being shared with other intelligence agencies whenever the need arrives, Hameed said.

He maintained that the role of the Special Branch is vital to maintaining law and order, preventing heinous crimes, drug trafficking and arms smuggling, besides monitoring and surveillance. “Hence, all possible resources are being provided to enhance the efficiency of the department.”

He also spoke of a number of other initiatives in the pipeline which would serve to enhance the overall performance of the Special Branch. The department’s main building has been restored, and the staff has been equipped with the latest gadgetry, he said.

The writer is a print and broadcast journalist