ISLAMABAD:
The Ministry of Interior imposed an immediate nationwide ban on the outdoor flight of drones and quadcopters, citing the current security environment, and ordered provincial authorities to ensure strict implementation of this order.
In an official notification issued on February 27, the ministry said that “in view of the current security environment, it has been decided to impose an immediate ban on the external flight of quadcopters/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with immediate effect and until further notice.”
The directive applies across the country and has been communicated to the chief secretaries of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the chief commissioner of Islamabad.
The notification further states that “provincial governments are requested to ensure strict implementation of the said ban.”
The authorities have been instructed to take immediate action against any violations.
According to authorities, police and district administrations have been ordered to launch a crackdown against individuals violating the ban. The ministry also clarified that drones and quadcopters would not be allowed near sensitive and public installations.
The circular was also issued to Inspector Generals of Police of all provinces, Additional Chief Secretaries (Home), Secretaries of Home Departments and other concerned administrative and security officials.
Copies of the directive have been sent to the DG (Operations and Response Wing), NIFTAC and NACTA headquarters in Islamabad, Prime Minister’s Office (APM Wing), Directorate of Military Operations at GHQ Rawalpindi and senior officials of the Ministry of Interior.
The notification highlights that the ban will remain in effect until further notice.
In related news, a quadcopter drone dropped explosive materials on a mosque in Bannu at the time of iftar on Friday evening, injuring five worshipers and triggering a security operation in the area.
The attack took place in Mirbaz Barakzai locality in Bannu when worshipers were inside the mosque to break their fast.
Eyewitnesses said an unidentified quadcopter drone approached from an unknown direction and released explosive materials into the mosque compound, causing a loud explosion and injuring several people.
The injured were identified as Hameed Nawaz, 18, son of Adil Nawaz, Ali Nawaz, 45, son of Muhammad Nawaz, Zahir Shah, 35, son of Jahan Shah, Sadr Nawaz, 15, son of Bakht Nawaz and Rashid Nawaz, 35, son of Muhammad Nawaz. All belong to Zonda Ghaibi Mirbaz Barkazai.
1122 rescue teams arrived at the scene soon after receiving information about the incident and transferred the injured to Bannu District Headquarters Hospital.
Hospital sources confirmed that the five injured are out of danger and receiving medical treatment.
After the explosion, police and security forces cordoned off the area and collected evidence from the scene.
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has opened an investigation against unidentified suspects.
