ISLAMABAD: The Japanese government will provide a grant of Rs453 million for installing a ‘face recognition system’ at major international airports in the country.

The aid is designed to support security and counterterrorism by providing advanced face recognition systems to the airports.

An agreement to this effect was signed on Friday by Japanese Ambassador Takashi Kurai and Economic Affairs Secretary Tariq Mahmood Pasha.

The system is equipped with advanced Japanese technology, aiming at improving security measures taken by airport staff to protect passengers.

Last year, the Japanese government provided 200m yens for installing an advanced face recognition system at the Karachi airport which is being implemented.

The system is a computer application capable of identifying or verifying an individual from a digital face images captured by closed-circuit television cameras. Recently it has been used more in security systems because of its capacity of mass identification and non-contact process, unlike fingerprint.

Japan has also been assisting the implementation of various other projects in the field of security. X-ray scanning devi­ces have been installed at the airports in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, and the same project for the Karachi and Bin Qasim ports is in progress.

In 2015, the country handed over 123 Japanese hybrid vehicles to the ministry of interior and the national highway police for patrolling.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Kurai condemned recent terrorist attacks in Lahore, Peshawar and other places.

“A terrorist attack cannot be justified for any reasons and the grant aid reflects our strong commitment to supporting the efforts of Pakistan against terrorism.”

He emphasised the importance of improvement of the security situation for socio-economic development in the country and renewed his commitment to continuing to support and cooperate with Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2017