The acute intersection of drones built with technology of artificial intelligence (AI) and state sovereignty has recently become a critical issue for Pakistan, especially when the use of unmanned aerial vehicles within its borders by foreign powers is considered. This paper examines how these drones and AI-driven advancements impact Pakistan’s sovereignty.
The United States initiated the use of drone technology in Pakistan in 2008, when drone strikes were conducted in Pakistan with their prime target being the militant groups residing in North Waziristan. These strikes raised many questions regarding Pakistan’s territorial sovereignty and other legal and human rights. Since these strikes occur without Pakistan’s consent, Pakistan has consistently condemned these drone operations as a strict violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
A building in Mir Ali, North Waziristan, was hit by a drone strike on October 4, 2010, and the results were significant destruction and loss of lives. The strikes continued, and prominent militant leaders of the Pakistani Taliban and the Afghan Taliban, namely Baitullah Mehsud, Hakimullah Mehsud, and Akhtar Mansour, were killed in 2009, 2013, and 2016, respectively.
However, apart from these targeted high-profile killings, over 61% of these drone strikes targeted domestic buildings, damaging 132 houses and killing 222 civilians among 1500 total deaths as reported by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism and Forensic Architecture.
A dramatic escalation in drone attacks has been seen over the past week between Pakistan and India, which is being marked as a dangerous phase in the longstanding rivalry between the two neighbours. Nearly 25 Indian drones were intercepted and shot down on the night of May 7-8, 2025, as reported by Pakistan’s military. The target of these Israel-based Indian drones was the military facilities of Pakistan. Some civilians are killed, and the debris from these drones injures many.
These events are seen as a threat to the sovereignty of Pakistan, and this paper explores these threats significantly.
Violation of Sovereignty and International Law
The Foreign Office of Pakistan and its government officials have strictly condemned these drone strikes and regarded them as an illegal violation of the geographical boundaries of Pakistan and its sovereignty, and referenced Article 2(4) of the UN Charter.
“States must refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.”
The claim of self-defence, either in the case of the US or Indian drone attacks, is questionable since both countries were unable to provide a single proof for the involvement of Pakistan in terrorist attacks in their territories.
Role of Artificial Intelligence in Drone Technology
Artificial intelligence enhances drone capabilities to the next level, making them more effective in war missions. It enables drones to integrate data by using multiple sensors such as cameras, LiDAR, radar, infrared, etc., to understand the enemy’s environment and identify targets or any obstacles in the way, thus causing a fusion of sensor and perception in drones.
AI also facilitates the detection of objects crucial for surveillance and precision targeting. Similarly, AI-driven drones can plan their own paths by avoiding obstacles due to AI algorithms that allow them to navigate any complex environment independently.
These features of AI technology were detected in Indian drones used against Pakistan, where the Pakistan Armed Forces have to make use of other methods to tackle those drones instead of their air defence radars to prevent their sensitive data from being trapped by the Indians. Thus, AI has taken warfare to a disastrous level where serious concerns for sovereignty and security exist.
Impact of AI-Driven Drones on Pakistan
The impacts of these AI-driven drone Strikes on Pakistan can be seen at the political, economic, and social levels. The dynamics of conflict between Pakistan and its adversaries, especially India, have changed mainly due to these drones. These systems allow states to strike with great precision and plausible deniability, thus lowering the political as well as operational threshold for any military action. A “tit-for-tat” drone warfare has been started, where now both countries can engage in remote escalation without crossing traditional red lines.
However, this proliferation of these advanced drones in South Asia is a threat to regional strategic stability because these drones can be equipped with smart missile forces to penetrate air defences, paving the way for smooth targeting of sensitive or even nuclear assets. The risk of unintended escalation can be increased, particularly in a nuclear environment with no margin for error.
The direct cost of human lives cannot be ignored in this warfare. Recently, in May 2025, 25 Indian drones were intercepted by Pakistan, targeting major cities, and the results were civilian deaths and injuries, apart from damage to critical military installations.
Apart from this, the suspected militants were forced to disperse unevenly from their traditional strongholds. They chose relocation to populated urban areas due to this persistent threat of drone strikes, resulting in bringing violence to those new communities and further complicating counterterrorism efforts.
Moreover, the psychological impact of these strikes was also significant as it has greatly radicalized public opinion in Pakistan and fuelled anti-Western as well as anti-Indian sentiments, further undermining the trust of citizens in the ability of the state to protect them.
These drone operations have led to the temporary closure of major airports and disrupted civil aviation. The displacement of communities residing near the border and the constant threat of sudden strikes have created an environment of fear and insecurity for the people living in those affected regions.
Conclusion
The recent Indian AI-driven drone attacks on Pakistan are a perfect example illustrating the profound impact of drone and AI technologies on the sovereignty of the state. The incident further highlights how these technologies have complicated the traditional patterns of territorial integrity by enabling precise, fast, and potentially deniable attacks. It is now mandatory for Pakistan to move towards the adaptation of AI technology in warfare, as diplomatic and military responses are not enough to defend its sovereignty and counter these types of increasingly sophisticated threats.
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Qandeel Fatima is a Lecturer of Chemistry at the University of Mianwali. Alongside her dedication to teaching and research, she remains deeply engaged with Pakistan's socio-political landscape and global dynamics, believing that scientific thinking must inform public policy for meaningful national progress. As a committed aspirant of CSS and PMS, she aims to combine her scientific knowledge with public service.