Punjab has taken a major step toward modernizing public safety and digital law enforcement by deploying an artificial intelligence system capable of detecting fake, tampered or cloned vehicle number plates across the province. This new solution operates in real time through the Punjab Safe City Authority’s surveillance network. With rising concerns over unregistered vehicles and criminal misuse of fake plates, this breakthrough introduces a new layer of security for public roads.

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How the AI System Works Across Punjab’s Road Network

Officials confirm that the newly deployed solution continuously scans number plates captured by Safe City cameras. If the system identifies an illegal modification, such as altered fonts, nonstandard plates, mismatched registrations or cloned numbers copied from another vehicle, an alert is instantly generated.

The workflow is fully automated. Once a violation is detected, an AI generated notification is sent to the Safe City Virtual Patrolling Officer. The corresponding enforcement team is immediately dispatched to the vehicle’s live location. This enables real-time interception, reducing the chances of vehicles using fake plates for criminal activity.

Why Fake and Cloned Plates Are a Growing Threat in Pakistan

In major cities like Lahore, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad, law enforcement agencies have increasingly reported vehicles involved in robbery, smuggling, drug trafficking or general evasion of law using altered or fake plates. The lack of standardization and the easy availability of illegal plate makers further contribute to the problem.

Fake plates typically fall into three categories:

• Cloned plates copied from another registered vehicle
• Tampered plates altered to avoid challans or camera identification
• Completely fabricated plates with no matching entry in the excise records

The new AI solution addresses each of these risks by cross-matching plate details with provincial records, including registration data and vehicle ownership history.

The Technology Behind AI Plate Recognition

The AI engine uses a combination of image recognition, character analysis and automated cross verification. The Safe City Authority has integrated the system with the Excise and Taxation Department databases to validate plate authenticity.

This integration allows the system to compare:

• Registration number
• Plate design and layout
• Font and spacing
• Provincial coding standards
• Vehicle make and model alignment
• Registered owner information

If any anomaly is detected, the AI instantly flags the discrepancy and notifies the operations center for action.

This kind of law enforcement technology mirrors solutions used in advanced smart cities worldwide. For readers interested in international benchmarks, the UK Home Office publishes research on number plate recognition technology via its public archives.

Legal Consequences for Fake Number Plate Holders

Punjab authorities have issued strict warnings for violators. A person caught using a fake or tampered plate will not only receive a traffic challan but also face serious criminal charges.

Police will register cases under the following sections:

• Section 420: Cheating and fraud
• Section 468: Forgery for the purpose of cheating
• Section 471: Use of forged documents
• Section 171: Illegal alteration or misuse of number plates

These sections carry significant penalties, including imprisonment. Officials emphasize that no leniency will be shown, and the enforcement teams will take immediate action once alerted.

Why Vehicle Owners Must Take Compliance Seriously

In recent years, Safe City surveillance has become more robust in Lahore and is now expanding across Punjab. With the introduction of AI, traditional methods used by violators to bypass monitoring will no longer work.

Car owners in Punjab are advised to ensure that only original plates issued by the Excise and Taxation Department are used on their vehicles. The use of stylized, colored, customized or private vendor plates may also trigger system flags. This is especially important for drivers in Lahore, where Safe City coverage is the strongest and most detailed.

Using legal plates not only protects owners from criminal charges but also ensures the integrity of Pakistan’s vehicle tracking ecosystem.

Impact on Road Safety and Crime Prevention

The deployment of this system supports broader public safety objectives. Vehicles involved in street crime, hit and run cases or illegal activities often rely on fake plates to avoid detection. By preventing this tactic, law enforcement gains higher traceability and quicker intervention ability.

The AI system also enhances:

• Speedy identification of suspicious vehicles
• Reduction in plate duplication across districts
• Stronger enforcement of registration compliance
• Better data integrity for smart mobility frameworks

This advancement strengthens Punjab’s transition toward modern urban policing and digital governance.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How does the AI system detect fake number plates in Punjab?

The system scans plates through surveillance cameras and cross-verifies the information with excise records. Any mismatch triggers an alert sent to law enforcement for real time action.

2. Will customized number plates also be flagged?

Yes. Nonstandard fonts, colors or vendor made plates may trigger alerts because they do not match official excise issued formats.

3. What happens if someone is caught with a fake plate?

They will face challans and may be charged under sections related to fraud, forgery and use of false documents, which carry severe penalties.

4. Does this system operate across all districts?

The rollout began in Lahore and is expanding across Punjab through the Safe City Authority’s integrated network.

5. How can I ensure my vehicle is legally compliant?

Use only excise issued plates, verify ownership details and inspect any imported vehicle before purchase. Car Advisers offers vehicle inspection and auction sheet verification services to help buyers make secure decisions.

Do you believe AI-powered surveillance will improve vehicle safety and law enforcement in Pakistan? Share your thoughts with the community.