Pakistan to issue new arms licenses

Pakistani government has decided to stop issuing manual arms licence and the country’s national registration department would issue computerised licences by August 31, Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said. Dozens of weapons are being purchased on one licence and there has been no proper record, Malik told reporters in Karachi. Many groups have been involved in making counterfeit licences which have led to a large amount of arms being smuggled into Karachi from the tribal region of Dara Adamkhel and other tribal areas of the country, he said. By law, one person is allowed five weapons on one licence, but people get dozens of weapons and there has been no proper record of the licence holders. The government will start the de-weaponising campaign in different phases and people possessing illegal weapons will face a punishment of seven to 14 years. According to the interior minister, terrorists were using bogus mobile SIM cards to plan out their activities in the county. “We warn people again to get their SIM cards registered by September 5 and block the ones issued by someone else on their identity cards,” urged Malik. “Otherwise cases would be lodged against the SIM holders.” He said the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) will issue new and computerized licences adding that NADRA has developed a highly secured armed licence management system under which transparent and authentic process will be carried out.