Punjab Unveils First-Ever Anti-Drone Unit, Cybercrime Cell Under New Intelligence Hub

In a major step to modernise provincial security, the Punjab government on Wednesday approved the establishment of Pakistan’s first provincial anti-drone unit and a dedicated cybercrime cell, as part of a newly launched intelligence coordination centre.

Punjab has become the first province in the country to set up the Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre (PIFTAC), a centralised facility aimed at enhancing intelligence-sharing and strengthening law enforcement coordination.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited the newly established centre and received a detailed briefing on its operational framework and the prevailing security landscape. Following the briefing, she approved a series of strategic initiatives to address emerging security threats.

Among the key measures is the formation of a specialised anti-drone unit — the first of its kind at the provincial level — to counter unauthorised aerial surveillance and potential militant use of drone technology. Authorities also approved the immediate creation of a cybercrime cell to tackle growing digital threats, online fraud, and extremist activity in cyberspace.

Officials said security forces would launch sustained combing operations across Punjab, while advanced digital scanners would be installed at all major entry and exit points of the province to tighten monitoring and screening.

The government also announced plans to strengthen the existing whistleblower mechanism to improve intelligence gathering at the grassroots level. A dedicated digital monitoring dashboard has been introduced for deputy commissioners to enhance oversight and ensure swift administrative response across districts.

In a further push toward technological integration, the chief minister directed the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence hub within PIFTAC to bolster predictive policing, cybersecurity, and threat assessment capabilities.

Emphasising a shift toward proactive governance, Ms Nawaz instructed law enforcement agencies to adopt a pre-emptive counterterrorism strategy, focusing on prevention rather than post-incident response.

Reaffirming her administration’s resolve, she said all available resources would be utilised to transform Punjab into the safest province in Pakistan.