Punjab has lifted its long-standing ban on drone flights, replacing it with a new permit system that requires approval from district-level committees before any drone can take to the air.
The policy shift was confirmed through a notification issued by the provincial home department on Tuesday, formally ending the restrictions that had previously kept drones grounded across the province.
Under the new framework, both government departments and private organizations will now be allowed to operate drones, but only after securing clearance from a “safe drone usage committee” set up in each district specifically for this purpose.
These committees will hold the authority to decide not just whether a drone flight is permitted, but also when and where it can take place, along with how long it can last. Anyone planning to fly a drone will also be required to notify police beforehand, adding a layer of security oversight to every approved flight.
Each district committee will be headed by the deputy commissioner as its convener, supported by representatives from the police, the Counter Terrorism Department and the Special Branch.
The provincial government has directed all commissioners, deputy commissioners and police officials across Punjab to enforce the new rules without delay.
Officials say the move is aimed at enabling drone use for practical purposes, particularly in agriculture and research, as well as projects tied to public welfare, areas where the earlier ban had created obstacles.
