National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has begun processing 7100 pending applications for arms licenses after thorough checking, well placed sources in NADRA revealed to Business Recorder on Friday. The formal inauguration of the center in Islamabad is awaited, but Nadra has commenced processing of already pending applications and about 4100 arms licenses of both prohibited and non-prohibited bore are ready to be delivered.
Nadra has received the circular prohibiting possession of more than 500 bullets or cartridges, and consequently delivery of arms licenses can commence. The pilot project in which arms licenses would be issued to people recommended by Parliamentarians has started and a principal has been set under which the prime minister will recommend the issuance of prohibited bore licenses, while the Interior Ministry will grant permission for non-prohibited bore licenses.
Giving details of the procedures for obtaining arms licenses, Nadra sources said that one has to submit an application along with a recommendatory note from a parliamentarian. The application would be passed through procedural checks and bio-metric checks and then an E-form would be generated that would be sent to the Prime Minister Secretariat for prohibited bore and to Interior Ministry for non-prohibited bore for final approval.
After clearance a demand note would be issued to applicant for purchase of required weapon, which would be registered and then a license card would be issued. Sources in the Interior Ministry said that in the first phase 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 Nadra will not allow any cheating in obtaining the arms licenses.
Nadra sources said that the system developed for arms licenses would be audit traceable and many security features were added to help the government and law enforcement agencies identify the owner of a weapon when deemed necessary. The present arms license system has many loopholes and one cannot determine whether the license holder is a real person or not.
Nadra made all arrangements to start the operation, and purchase necessary equipment and developed bio-metric software to entertain applications of people seeking arms licenses, sources said, adding that the bio-metric software was developed in a way to ensure that no one can replicate the license. This would ensure transparency, which will help in maintaining law and order in the country and bring the high crime rate down.
Bearing arms is not a necessity, Nadra sources maintained, and hence processing fees will be higher than the prevailing fee structure and a person who wants to avail this facility should have to spend money without seeking a concession. Nadra will set up a main center at G-10 sector of Islamabad and later one center each would be opened at provincial headquarters of Nadra. Sources aver that there is no need of establishing a large number of offices to over-burden the Nadra system and people who want license must travel to obtain this facility.