Drone cameras banned in District South as security measure for Chinese consulate

After a recent attack on Chinese nationals in Pakistan, the Karachi commissioner has imposed a ban on the use of drone cameras for two months in District South of the port city citing “threats to vital installations, and Chinese Consulate”.

The Karachi administration has taken special measures for the safety of sensitive installations and the Chinese Consulate under the Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), empowering the authorities concerned to ban the use of drone cameras.

“It has been reported that there are serious threats to vital installations and Chinese Consulate, Karachi by the anti-state elements/hostile agencies in the wake of recent attacks on Chinese nationals, therefore, it is necessary to take immediate measures to avoid any mishaps & to maintain law and order situation in the city,” said a notification issued by Commissioner Muhammad Saleem Rajput on Saturday.

He exercised his powers delegated by the Sindh home department to impose restrictions on drone cameras in Karachi’s District South for a period of two months, effective from March 30 till May 29.

Meanwhile, the station house officers (SHOs) of the police stations concerned have been authorised to lodge complaints under the Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code in case of any violation.

At least six people, including five Chinese nationals, were killed after their vehicle was attacked in Shangla's Besham town on March 26.

It was not the first time that Chinese nationals came under attack in Dasu, the site of a major dam, as 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals, were killed in an explosion in 2021.

Chinese engineers are currently working on a number of projects in Pakistan with Beijing investing over $65 billion in infrastructure works as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) under Beijing's wider Belt and Road initiative.

No one claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Shangla district, nor was there a claim for the 2021 attack.

Kite flying banned

A notification issued by the Commissioner's Office stated that it had been brought to the notice of the divisional administration of the city that some elements in the city were engaged in the manufacturing and sale of kites and sharp kite flying strings that were dangerous for human lives.

The statement read that in exercise of powers under the Section 144(6) of the CrPC, the commissioner had imposed a complete ban on the manufacturing and sale of kites, sharp maanjha (string), metallic wire and nylon cord as well as the flying of kites within the jurisdiction of the Karachi division. The ban, which was imposed on Saturday, would continue until May 29.