The Punjab government has announced plans to prohibit the sale, purchase and use of covert recording devices disguised as everyday objects, including glasses, pens and watches, following complaints about surveillance, harassment and blackmail.
The planned restrictions target gadgets fitted with concealed cameras or recording equipment. The Punjab Home Department says the measure is intended to protect personal privacy, particularly that of women and children.
The department has not yet issued the formal notification setting out the ban’s legal scope.
What Punjab has announced
According to the Punjab Home Department, the planned restrictions cover devices designed or used for covert surveillance, including ordinary-looking objects that secretly record video or audio.
Officials have warned of legal action against the illegal use, purchase and sale of such equipment.
Punjab Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi told Dawn that the formal notification would be issued in the coming days, giving traders time to remove affected products from shops and online listings.
The notification is expected to clarify the products covered, penalties and enforcement arrangements.
What about smart glasses and ordinary cameras?
Some wearable devices contain visible cameras and are marketed openly for photography, video recording or accessibility. Other gadgets are designed to conceal their recording capabilities.
The government’s statements focus on spying equipment and hidden recording devices. They do not yet specify how officials will distinguish between different types of wearable technology.
There is no indication in the announcement that ordinary mobile-phone cameras, home security systems or conventional CCTV equipment are included.
Why the government is acting
The Home Department has cited complaints involving unauthorised surveillance, harassment and blackmail.
Covert recording can expose people to serious privacy violations, particularly in private spaces where they may not know that a camera is operating.
The issue has also reached the courts. The Lahore High Court is hearing a public-interest petition concerning the import and sale of camera-equipped smart glasses and their implications for privacy and personal security.
The court case and the Punjab government’s planned restrictions are separate developments.
What happens next?
The formal notification will determine which devices are prohibited, how retailers must deal with existing stock and which laws authorities will use to enforce the restrictions.
For now, Punjab has announced the policy and warned traders and users of the coming restrictions.
Sources: Dawn, October 20, 2026; Business Recorder, October 20, 2026.