Artificial Intelligence, Facial Recognition and Government Data Practices in Pakistan (Analysing Privacy Risks under Article 17 of ICCPR and the HRC’s 2024 Concluding Observations)

Abstract

Pakistan is utilising Artificial Intelligence in many areas particularly in security and public administration. Tools for example facial recognition cameras, large identity databases and digital monitoring systems are growing common in various major cities.  These technologies can assist in crime reduction and service delivery and they also create  questions about right to privacy of person because Pakistan does not keep a strong and complete data safety law. Many people do not aware about how their private information is being gathered & store and also  there are no visible available rules that can limit how government departments can utilise this data system. Pakistan is a party to the ICCPR and Article 17 of the ICCPR safeguards everyone’s right to privacy. The United Nations Human Rights Committee reviewed Pakistan in HRC’s 2024 Observations and showed  views about the way digital systems are being  utilised by public departments or bodies. . HRC’s 2024 highlighted that facial recognition and other Artificial Intelligence devices may not have particular legal safety that Pakistan needs to make better laws, checks and transparency related to usage of AI tools/ devices. This research paper highlights how Pakistan utilises AI technologies particularly facial recognition and digital monitoring and analyses how these practices relate to Article 17 of the ICCPR.  It explains the main thoughts about privacy, reviews available material on Artificial Intelligence and data safety describes Pakistan’s digital environment and examines whether current practices meet international human rights standards or not. The paper also tells  practical reforms that can assist Pakistan be benefitted from AI without harming people’s rights to Privacy.  The purpose is to show that technology can be helpful but only when it doesn’t violate human dignity and privacy Rights in accordance with ICCPR AND HRC’s 2024 concluding observations.