Punjab Extends Section 144 Drone Ban for 30 Days
The Punjab government has extended Section 144 across the province for another 30 days, keeping a complete ban on outdoor drone flying in place amid continuing security concerns. The latest decision applies to open-air spaces across Punjab and directs district administrations and police authorities to ensure strict enforcement during the notified period.
According to the Home Department, the restriction has been renewed to protect public safety and maintain law and order. The order prohibits the use of drones outdoors, making it unlawful for individuals, private operators, event organisers or commercial users to fly drones in open spaces without official permission.
The notification, however, allows limited drone use inside halls and marquees for indoor events. Authorities have made event organisers responsible for ensuring that indoor drone activity remains safe, controlled and compliant with government directions, especially where cameras or aerial filming equipment are used during private functions.
The order also exempts intelligence agencies and law enforcement authorities from the restrictions. This means official drone use for security surveillance, policing, emergency monitoring or other authorised state functions can continue despite the wider public ban imposed under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
To regulate essential and non-recreational drone activity, the Punjab Home Department has established district-level Safe Drone Usage Committees. These committees will have the authority to grant written permission for drone operations connected to agriculture, irrigation, research and other approved purposes where such technology may serve public or technical needs.
The move reflects the growing importance of drone regulation in Pakistan, where unmanned aerial devices are increasingly used for photography, weddings, media coverage, mapping, farming and security-related work. While drones offer clear benefits, authorities often treat uncontrolled outdoor flights as a security risk, particularly near sensitive sites, public gatherings, government buildings and crowded urban areas.
Section 144 is frequently used by provincial administrations to impose temporary restrictions when officials believe public order or safety may be at risk. In this case, the government has framed the drone ban as a preventive measure, aimed at reducing the chance of misuse while allowing controlled exemptions for officially approved activity.
The Punjab decision comes at a time when security measures have been tightened in different parts of the country. Earlier this month, Balochistan authorities also imposed Section 144 in Kech district for 30 days, banning political gatherings, rallies and public display of weapons due to the prevailing law and order situation.
For citizens, drone operators, wedding halls, media teams and businesses, the immediate impact will be the need to avoid outdoor drone flights unless written permission is obtained from the relevant district committee. Violations may expose operators to legal action, equipment seizure or other penalties under government and police rules.
The next phase will depend on how consistently the order is enforced across Punjab’s districts. Authorities will be expected to balance security concerns with legitimate drone uses in farming, research, infrastructure monitoring and controlled indoor events, while citizens and operators will need clear guidance to avoid violations during the 30-day restriction period.