Government Introduces New Drone Registration Policy
The Ministry of Aviation has finalized new rules for registering drones and unmanned aircraft.
Named the ‘Civil Unmanned Aircraft Rules, 2024’, these regulations are awaiting approval from the federal cabinet. They aim to govern drone use across Pakistan, requiring all unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, to be registered with the federal government.
The rules categorize UAVs into four groups based on their maximum take-off weight: category-I (up to 250 grams), category-II (250 grams to 10 kilograms), category-III (10 kg to 25 kg), and category-IV (25 kg to 100 kg).
Under the draft regulations, operators of category II, III, and IV UAVs must log into the CAA’s electronic system and provide operational details. Additionally, those flying drones in these categories will need a “Remote Pilot Licence” from the CAA.
The rules strictly prohibit flying drones in restricted airspace without written permission from the Director General (DG) or an authorized officer. Each UAV must be registered with the CAA, renewing registration every three years, and assigned a unique identification number comprising English letters and numbers.
Importers and exporters of UAVs must register with the DG, and specific clearances are required from the Ministry of Defence for category III and IV drones. Violations could lead to fines of up to Rs. 100,000, with additional daily penalties for continued non-compliance.
