The Punjab Home Department has announced a 30-day prohibition on flying drones in open areas throughout the province, invoking Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure due to security concerns. This restriction applies to all outdoor drone activities during the specified period.
However, the ban permits the controlled use of small drones for event coverage inside enclosed spaces such as halls and marquees. Event organizers will be held accountable for ensuring the safe operation of drones during these indoor events.
Notably, intelligence agencies and law enforcement bodies are exempt from this restriction, allowing them to continue drone operations without interruption. To regulate drone usage, the Home Department has formed district-level “Safe Drone Usage Committees” responsible for granting written approvals for authorized drone flights.
These committees may issue permissions for drone use in agriculture, irrigation, and research activities, which will remain exempt from the ban. Drone operations conducted under such authorized approvals will be allowed to proceed safely.
In a significant administrative step, the Home Department circulated the notification to senior provincial officials, including the chief secretary, Punjab police chief, chief minister’s office, law and information departments, divisional commissioners, Lahore police, CTD, Special Branch, regional police officers, deputy commissioners, and city and district police officers for awareness and implementation.
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