By The Punjab government drone squad initiative marks a significant step toward modernizing law enforcement and public safety across the province. Approved by the provincial authorities, the project will deploy 159 advanced night-vision drones in Lahore and other districts to improve surveillance, traffic management, and crime prevention.
According to police officials, the drones will be integrated into existing security frameworks to support real-time monitoring and rapid response. The initiative reflects the Punjab government’s broader strategy to adopt technology-driven policing and smart city solutions.
Deployment Plan Across Punjab
Under the approved plan, Lahore will receive 20 night-vision drones, recognizing the city’s high security demands and dense traffic conditions. Meanwhile, 98 drones will be deployed at the tehsil level, and 41 drones will be assigned to district-level operations, ensuring province-wide surveillance coverage.
These drones will operate in both urban and semi-urban areas, enabling authorities to monitor activities that are difficult to observe through traditional methods.
Key Functions of the Drone Squad
The Punjab government drone squad will perform multiple functions, including:
- Monitoring crime hotspots and suspicious activities
- Assisting in traffic control and congestion management
- Detecting illegal encroachments on public land
- Supporting efforts to prevent road accidents and violations
The use of night-vision technology will allow uninterrupted surveillance during nighttime hours, improving situational awareness and law enforcement efficiency.
Integration with Safe Cities Authority
Officials confirmed that the drone squad will operate under the Safe Cities Authority and will be fully integrated with the Safe Cities live monitoring system. This integration will allow real-time video feeds to be analyzed centrally, enabling faster decision-making and coordinated responses.
Only trained personnel will operate the drones, ensuring compliance with safety standards and operational protocols.
Funding and Timeline
The project has already received government funding, and the procurement process for the drones is expected to be completed within the current fiscal year. Once fully operational, the drone squad is expected to significantly strengthen public security, traffic enforcement, and civic management across Punjab.
With rising urban challenges, the introduction of drone-based surveillance positions Punjab as a leading province in adopting smart law enforcement technologies.
