'Computerisation of arms licences to help control its movement'

Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik has said that the computerisation of arms licences would not only help in keeping a check on arms movement, but will also help in eradicating terrorism. Government is taking serious measures to abolish the trend of bearing illegal weapons and the decision of Computerisation of Arms Licensing is one of them, Malik said while talking to media after inaugurating the first Computerised Arms Licensing Center (CALC) here on Wednesday.
Malik said that 10 years old weapons licenses would be computerised, as the previous registration system is outdated whereas lapses could be avoided in new licensing system. He said that the present arms license system has many loopholes and one cannot identify either the license holder is a real person or a fake one. He said that the government is gradually moving towards e-governance and very shortly computerised visa issuance centers and DNA laboratories would also be setup. Combined NADRA and Passport Offices would also be established, he added.
The CALC was opened under pilot project and arms licenses would be issued to people recommended by Parliamentarians, they said, adding that a principal was set under which Prime Minister will recommend the issuance of prohibited bore licenses, while Interior Ministry will grant permission for non-prohibited bore licenses.
After clearance a demand note would be issued to applicant for purchase of required weapon, which will be registered and then a license card would be issued. In first phase the licenses would be issued on recommendations made by Parliamentarians, but they would also be made accountable and their digital signatures would be taken to avoid any misuse of the facility. The database of the NADRA will not allow any cheating in obtaining the arms licenses.
The system developed for arms licenses would be audit traced and many security features were added in it to help the Government and law enforcement agencies to keep a check on illegal arms and also chase the person having arms license when deems necessary.
NADRA has processed 7100 pending applications for arms licenses and about 4100 arms licenses of both prohibited and non-prohibited bores are ready to deliver. Under new rules a restriction would be made on possession of bullets and cartridges and no one carry more than 500 bullets or cartridges along with arms. After inauguration of the main CALC center, one center each would be opened at every provincial headquarters of the NADRA.