Punjab Launches AI Talk to Camera System. The Punjab government has rolled out a new AI-powered monitoring system called “Talk to Camera” after a heartbreaking incident in which a seven-year-old boy died after falling into an open manhole. The new system aims to stop such tragedies by improving real-time surveillance and faster emergency response across the province.
The initiative marks a major upgrade in Punjab digital safety infrastructure and aligns with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s vision of safer, smarter public spaces.
Why Punjab Introduced the Talk to Camera System
Last week’s tragic accident on the Kahror Pacca–Lodhran Highway, where a young boy fell into an uncovered manhole, exposed serious gaps in public space monitoring.
In response, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered the immediate development and rollout of a system that could identify dangers before they claim lives.
The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) developed the AI solution to detect hazards and instantly alert officials.
How the AI Technology Works
The Talk to Camera system uses computer vision and natural-language processing to analyze CCTV footage installed in cities.
Officials can simply type or speak a query like “check for missing manhole covers”, and the system scans the entire camera network in real time.
AI can detect
- Open or missing manhole covers
- Overflowing or hazardous dumpsters
- Visible smoke or fire risks
- Blocked roads or other public hazards
- Any suspicious or dangerous environmental conditions
Once a risk is detected, an immediate alert is sent to the relevant authority so action can be taken without delay.
Real Results During Testing
The AI system was first tested in Lahore and Sheikhupura, where it successfully detected multiple open manholes.
During the trials, the AI produced detailed reports showing:
- Exact coordinates of the hazard
- Timestamp of detection
- Image evidence showing the open manhole
- Confirmation response to the query
- Location names such as Sarfraz Rafique Road, Dehli Road, and other sites
These accurate detections convinced authorities that the system was ready for province-wide deployment.
Province-Wide Rollout Begins
After the successful tests, the Punjab government approved expanding Talk to Camera to all major cities.
The system will support:
- Faster response times from city teams
- Better public space management
- Reduced accidents and injuries
- Proactive safety interventions instead of reactive measures
Officials say the technology will help protect millions of residents by identifying risks earlier than manual inspections ever could.
Maryam Nawaz on the AI Initiative
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the project shows Punjab’s commitment to modern, technology-driven governance.
She noted that allowing officers to run simple natural-language commands gives them full visibility across the Safe Cities camera network without technical complexity.
This makes hazard detection faster, smarter, and more accurate, ensuring no dangerous situation goes unnoticed.
Part of PunjabLarger Public Safety Strategy
Talk to Camera is one piece of a broader plan to improve Punjab’s monitoring systems.
The government is working on:
- Digitizing city-level emergency responses
- Improving road and municipal maintenance workflows
- Reducing preventable deaths and accidents
- Upgrading Safe Cities surveillance capacity
With this AI tool, Punjab aims to set new standards for urban safety and smart governance in Pakistan.
Conclusion
Punjab new Talk to Camera system brings real-time AI monitoring to public spaces, helping detect hazards like open manholes before they cause harm. After strong test results, the province-wide rollout will improve safety, speed up responses, and protect citizens.
