LAHORE: The Punjab government on Sunday extended a complete ban on flying drones outdoors across the province for another 30 days to prevent disturbance of public peace and to safeguard lives and property in the districts of Punjab.

In a notification, available with Dawn, the Punjab home department has imposed an immediate and complete ban on outdoor drones flying across the province for 30 days exempting the use of small drones for coverage of indoor activities, such as in halls and marquees.

Since the 30-day ban had come to an end on Sunday, the home department extended the ban under Section 144 (6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, which is to remain in force “for a period of 30 days.”

The home department had earlier imposed a ban on flying drones outdoors twice on Feb 25 and March 26 for a period of 30 days, each.

The notification, however, said that the ban did not apply to “use of small drones for coverage of indoor activities, such as in halls or marquees”. “The safe usage of such drones in a limited and confined indoor area for events/functions shall be the responsibility of the organiser”.

The order also stated that this ban would not be applicable to the use of drones by intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2026