Provinces would soon launch a process to computerise arm licenses as part of campaign launched by the federal government to curb incidents of lawlessness, eliminate fake licences and illegal weapons from the country. The computerisation of arm licenses has been launched through National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to deweaponize the country in phases, a senior government official said on Wednesday.
He said the federal government has already extended last date for computerisation of such licenses by September 30 in order to give time to holders to understand process and apply for new ones to avoid hassle. He said in the first phase, arms licences issued by the provincial governments would be computerised.
NADRA would establish its offices in provincial capitals and district headquarters by September 15. After ascertaining that the necessary logistic arrangements were in place, the provincial authorities would ask people to approach Nadra to get computerised arms licences after surrendering their licence booklets.
The official said in the second phase, a crackdown would be launched against illegal weapons and penalties for possession of such arms would also be enhanced. The federal government has delegated such powers to the provinces under the Surrender of Illicit Arms Act.
As part of the campaign, he said the government has decided to reactivate a 20-year law and offer amnesty to those who voluntarily surrender illegal arms in a campaign. People would be asked to surrender illegal arms to get indemnity against any legal action for possessing such weapons. However, a person who had used arms for committing a crime would not be exempted from criminal liability for such an offence. The official said a cell would also be established at district headquarters to renew or issue licences on behalf of the federal government. The cell would also entertain the licences issued by the provinces.
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