PM for bringing issue of regulation of arms licenses before next cabinet meeting

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday directed the Ministry of Interior to bring the issue of regulation of arms licenses for the automatic weapons before the next meeting of the federal cabinet.

The decision was taken during a briefing held at Prime Minister Office on automatic arms licenses with PM Abbasi in the chair.

Interior secretary briefed the prime minister about the overall situation regarding the number of arms licenses issued by the federal, as well as provincial, governments. He also briefed the meeting on policy framework governing the issuance of arms licenses.

The meeting was informed that 19,143 prohibited bore arms licenses were issued during the period 2010-12, while during the interim period of 2013, a total of 25,789 licenses were issued for the prohibited bore weapons.

It was informed that only 410 prohibited bore arms licenses have been issued so far during the tenure of the present government. Out of these 410 licenses, 400 were issued to WAPDA, while only 10 licenses were issued to the individuals.

The meeting was informed that a deadline of December 30, 2017, has been set for re-validation of all licenses, after which all non-computerised licenses issued by the interior ministry are liable to be cancelled.

The prime minister directed the interior ministry to work out a comprehensive policy on issuance of arms licenses in order to make the process more convenient and applicant-friendly.

The prime minister directed that the arms licenses should be linked with the database of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

PUNJAB GOVERNOR CALLS ON PM:

Earlier, Punjab Governor Muhammad Rafiq Rajwana called on PM Abbasi at the PM Office.

The overall situation in the province—with special reference to ongoing development projects—was discussed during the meeting, a statement issued by the PM’s media office said.