LAHORE: In a sweeping move reflecting heightened security concerns, the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control has directed all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and the Islamabad Capital Territory to implement enhanced security measures across the country in view of what it described as a “heightened threat perception” arising from the tense situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
In a letter, copy of which is available with The News, addressed to the chief secretaries of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan and the Chief Commissioner of ICT, the ministry said immediate and comprehensive steps were required to strengthen security arrangements in light of the prevailing security environment.
The communication called for enhanced security at all sensitive installations, vital government infrastructure, public places, religious sites, foreign missions, projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other vulnerable locations.
It asked provincial authorities to issue necessary instructions to all law enforcement agencies to maintain a high state of alert and to ensure stringent checking and surveillance at all entry and exit points, inter-provincial boundaries and established checkpoints.
The ministry further directed that snap checking, increased patrolling and rigorous verification procedures be carried out to effectively deter and respond to any potential threat. Provincial governments have been asked to furnish compliance reports detailing the measures taken at the earliest.
The letter issued by Section Officer (Security-II) was also copied to inspectors general of police across the federating units, additional chief secretaries (home), secretaries of home departments in GB and AJK, director general (Operations and Response Wing) at NIFTAC and National Counter Terrorism Authority headquarters in Islamabad, Prime Minister’s Office, and Military Operations Directorate at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
In a separate but related order issued the same day, the Ministry of Interior imposed an immediate ban on the outdoor flying of quadcopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) across the country, with effect until further orders. Provincial governments were directed to ensure strict enforcement of the ban.
The twin directives come against the backdrop of renewed friction along the western border, where Pakistan has repeatedly expressed concern over cross-border militant activity and the presence of outlawed groups operating from Afghan territory. In recent months, security officials have pointed to an uptick in attacks targeting security forces, police installations and infrastructure projects, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
CPEC related sites and foreign missions have historically been considered high-value targets by militant outfits seeking to undermine investor confidence and bilateral cooperation. The fresh emphasis on securing such installations underscores the authorities’ assessment that symbolic and strategic assets may face elevated risks during periods of regional tension.
The prohibition on quadcopters and UAVs reflects growing official anxiety over the potential misuse of commercially available drones for reconnaissance, smuggling or carrying out attacks. In recent years, security agencies have reported instances of drones being used for cross-border delivery of weapons and narcotics, as well as for surveillance of sensitive facilities. By suspending outdoor drone operations nationwide, the government appears to be seeking to pre-empt any exploitation of unmanned platforms in a volatile security climate.
While provincial administrations have periodically enforced similar restrictions during major public events or specific security alerts, blanket ban coupled with nationwide instructions for heightened vigilance, signals a broader precautionary posture at the federal level.
Officials said the measures were preventive in nature and aimed at ensuring preparedness across all tiers of government. The requirement for compliance reports suggests that the Centre intends to closely monitor implementation and coordination among civil administration, police and counterterrorism authorities.
Security analysts note that Islamabad has in the past responded to spikes in border tensions with stepped-up internal security protocols, including increased intelligence-sharing, enhanced checkpoint scrutiny and temporary restrictions on aerial devices. The latest directives fit that pattern, reflecting a strategy of deterrence through visible and layered security.
With the western frontier once again in focus, the federal government’s message to the provinces is unambiguous remain on maximum alert, secure all vulnerable assets and leave little room for complacency in an increasingly uncertain regional environment.
