LAHORE:
Punjab’s Civil Defence Department has launched cutting-edge drone technology to tackle emergencies in hazardous and hard-to-reach areas, marking a major leap in the province’s disaster and security response capabilities.
The initiative was unveiled at the Civil Secretariat, where Provincial Health Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, Khawaja Salman Rafique, along with Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi, witnessed a live demonstration.
The heavy-lift drones showcased multiple capabilities—airlifting people from danger zones, neutralising explosives, and providing aerial surveillance. During the display, a drone successfully carried a 60-kg dummy, simulating the rescue of stranded individuals from high-rise buildings, fire-affected areas, or rugged terrain.
Other advanced tools were also presented, including remote-controlled vehicles, snake cameras, IED disposal drones, anti-drone guns, bomb disposal suits, mine detectors, and a bomb disposal robot that neutralised an explosive in an inaccessible location.
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“This drone service is a milestone for Civil Defence,” said Khawaja Salman Rafique. “Our personnel serve on the frontlines during floods, disasters, and crises, and now they have world-class tools to save lives.”
Dr Qazi highlighted that Civil Defence has recently neutralised 29 Indian drones amid heightened border tensions, underscoring its importance in both emergency relief and national defence. He added that the department is developing a mobile app to register citizen volunteers, strengthening community involvement in disaster response.
With upgraded training for bomb disposal squads and strong coordination with district administrations, Punjab aims to transform Civil Defence into a modern, highly equipped force capable of meeting evolving security and humanitarian challenges.