Punjab introduces drones for enhanced emergency response capabilities

Punjab’s Civil Defence Department has unveiled advanced drone technology to manage emergencies in hazardous and inaccessible locations, marking a significant upgrade to the province’s disaster response capabilities.

The initiative was showcased at the Civil Secretariat, where Provincial Health Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, Khawaja Salman Rafique, and Secretary Home, Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi, witnessed a live demonstration of the new equipment.

The drones demonstrated capabilities including airlifting individuals from dangerous sites, neutralising explosives, and conducting surveillance.

Other high-tech tools—such as remote-controlled vehicles, snake cameras, IED drones, anti-drone guns, bomb disposal suits, and mine detectors—were also on display.

A bomb disposal robot successfully neutralised an explosive device in an inaccessible location, while a heavy-lift drone carried a 60-kg dummy, showcasing its potential to rescue stranded people from high-rise buildings, fire zones, or rugged terrain.

“This drone service is a major milestone for Civil Defence,” Khawaja Salman Rafique said. “Our personnel are frontline soldiers during floods and emergencies, and we are equipping them with world-class tools to save lives.”

Briefing the minister, Dr Qazi highlighted recent achievements, including the neutralization of 29 Indian drones during heightened border tensions, underscoring Civil Defence’s role in both peace and conflict.

The Home Department is also developing a mobile application to register citizens as volunteers, aiming to expand community participation in disaster response. “This app will soon be launched to streamline volunteer registration,” he said.

With advanced training for bomb disposal squads and support from district administrations, Punjab is positioning Civil Defence as a modern, well-equipped force to meet evolving security and emergency challenges.