ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Friday imposed a nationwide ban on all drone operations following escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan after recent border clashes.
A notification issued by the Ministry of Interior announced a ban on all commercial and private drones across the country with immediate effect.
The directive comes in the wake of intense clashes triggered by what officials described as unprovoked attacks by the Afghan Taliban regime late Thursday.
Meanwhile, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also issued a public advisory enforcing a 30-day ban on outdoor drone flying, including quadcopters and other remote-controlled aerial devices, across the province.
In its advisory, the KP Home and Tribal Affairs Department stated that remote attacks had been attempted using quadcopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on various government buildings and installations, particularly in the southern region of the province.
“In the prevailing circumstances, any activity — regulated or otherwise — related to drones, including quadcopters and UAVs, poses a direct or indirect threat and is a potential risk to the lives and properties of citizens, public safety and security, government infrastructure, and maintenance of public order,” the advisory stated.
It added that the Ministry of Interior, in view of the prevailing security environment, had requested the provincial government to impose an immediate ban on outdoor flying of quadcopters and UAVs.
However, small drones used for indoor coverage in halls or marquees, as well as drones operated by intelligence and law enforcement agencies, have been exempted from the restriction.
The KP government also urged the public to avoid unnecessary outdoor gatherings, especially near sensitive or official installations, and directed all government departments, attached offices, public sector entities and field formations to review and enhance their security arrangements.
Earlier, a similar ban had been imposed in Punjab, citing risks to public safety and security.
The restrictions follow Pakistan’s retaliatory action, dubbed Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, launched in response to cross-border attacks.
Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said security forces repulsed attacks in 15 sectors along the Pakistan-Afghan border at 53 different locations.
He stated that over 74 Taliban regime posts were destroyed and 18 checkposts were taken into Pakistan’s custody. Pakistani forces also destroyed 115 enemy tanks and armoured vehicles and targeted 22 hideouts of Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij.
Twelve security personnel embraced martyrdom while 27 sustained injuries during the retaliatory response, he added.