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The Punjab government has launched an advanced drone policing system and introduced the Punjab Surrender of Illegal Arms Act 2025 to combat arms smuggling, enhance public safety, and modernize law enforcement. The initiative marks a major shift toward digital surveillance and stricter arms regulation across the province.
The move follows growing concerns over illegal arms circulation and slow emergency response times in Punjab. The government, under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has been working on smart policing reforms aimed at improving transparency, coordination, and real-time crime tracking.
During the fourth provincial law and order meeting chaired by CM Maryam Nawaz, officials approved a pilot project for drone policing in Lahore. These drones will provide live surveillance and immediate crime scene monitoring, with plans to expand to other districts upon successful implementation.
The Punjab Surrender of Illegal Arms Act 2025 was also approved, which includes:
| Phase | Key Action | Details |
| Phase 1 | Surrender of Illegal Weapons | 15-day deadline for citizens to surrender illegal arms |
| Phase 2 | Testing of Licensed Weapons | Re-examination of 1 million licensed firearms |
| Phase 3 | Enforcement & Destruction | Confiscated weapons to be destroyed, with strict legal follow-up |
CM Maryam Nawaz stated,
“Drone policing will not only improve our response to emergencies but also ensure that the law reaches every corner of Punjab faster and smarter.”
The government will install arms scanners at 14 major entry and exit points, and arms smuggling will now carry a penalty of up to 14 years imprisonment. Moreover, private security firms must register under new provincial regulations, linking their guards directly with the Punjab Police Helpline 15 for coordination.
To discourage weapon proliferation, the annual arms license fee has been doubled, while a dedicated department within the Punjab Police will oversee drone and arms enforcement operations.
