The Punjab government has decided to introduce drone services for rescue operations in high-rise buildings and remote or hard-to-reach areas, marking another leap in the province’s emergency response capacity.

The decision was announced by the Home Department, which said the drones would be capable of rescuing stranded individuals from difficult locations.

During a demonstration at the Civil Secretariat on Friday, a drone successfully airlifted a 60-kilogram dummy as part of a simulated rescue mission.

Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique witnessed the exercise and said the technology would make rescue and relief operations possible in hazardous environments.

The event also showcased advanced Civil Defence equipment, including drones designed to intercept hostile aerial devices and robots capable of defusing bombs.

A practical demonstration was given of neutralising an explosive device at an inaccessible location using a bomb disposal robot.

Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Salman Rafique said Civil Defence personnel serve as frontline soldiers during floods and other emergencies. He added that bomb disposal squads and Civil Defence units are receiving modern training to meet contemporary challenges.

Punjab Home Secretary stressed the importance of Civil Defence in both peace and conflict, revealing that during heightened Pakistan-India tensions, Civil Defence successfully neutralised 29 Indian drones.