LAHORE: The Punjab government has imposed a 30-day ban on outdoor drone flights across the province under Section 144, citing security concerns, while allowing limited use of small drones for events held inside halls and marquees.

According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department, organisers will be responsible for ensuring the safe use of drones during indoor events.

Intelligence and law enforcement agencies have been exempted from the ban, according to a notification issued by the department.

The spokesperson said district-level `Safe Drone Usage Committees` had been established to regulate drone use.

Written permission for drone flights for agricultural, irrigation and research purposes would be granted by the respective committees.

Drone flights conducted with written permission from the relevant committee would be exempt from the general ban.

The notification, issued by the secretary home under Section 144(6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, directs all district administrations and police across the province to ensure strict implementation of the orders.

The spokesperson said public safety, maintenance of law and order, and protection of public and private property remained the government`s foremost priorities.