Civil Drone Authority

Composition
Headed by Secretary Aviation Division, the composition of the authority includes senior level representation from Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Civil Aviation, and ministries of Defence Production, Interior and Science and Technology.
It also includes one representative each from the federating units including Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit Baltistan. Three eminent experts of the field will also be members of the authority.
The composition of authority will serve to ensure seamless coordination among all stakeholders on matters relating to smooth functioning of the authority.
Functions
The authority will be mandated to regulate and control unmanned aircraft systems in the country, and will decide matters relating to licensing, import, manufacturing, examination and issuance of drone permits.
The authority will also develop standards for manufacturing, operations, training and research and development. Furthermore, it will provide technical guidance to industrial sector to facilitate domestic manufacturing.
The authority will be empowered to impose fines and penalties, including cancellation of license and registration, besides initiation of legal proceedings under the prevailing civil and criminal laws.
Analysis
Use of drone technology has diversified over the last few years. It is no longer confined to defence or filmmaking and is being used in several other sectors especially agriculture.
Last year, when the country was battling locusts’ attack, drones and other machines were profusely used to combat this threat.
The drones indeed can prove to be game changer in precision farming, crop health analysis, monitoring livestock and other agriculture purposes.
As Pakistan has already started developing high-tech drones, establishment of authority will prove to be pivotal in further promoting their domestic production.
The Authority will reportedly also develop standards for manufacturing, operations, training and R&D.
Besides it will also provide technical guidance to industrial sector to facilitate domestic manufacturing.
Indeed regulating this sector is important to ensure that only quality products are produced and those violating the standards face the music.
Effective use of drone technology in various sectors will help in resource optimisation and better service delivery.
However it must be ensured that the authority does not impede, and instead facilitates, the use of this latest technology, and the process of licenses should not be lengthy or cumbersome.
As government is focusing to build agriculture sector on modern lines, farmers should be particularly trained to use this technology for different purposes including spray of pesticides and other inputs.
This will not only save farmers’ time but also protect them from hazards of chemicals.
Drones could also be provided to small farmers on rent so that they also benefit from it and bolster their production.
Since government now enjoys majority in both houses of parliament, legislation for establishment of the drone authority should not take much time.