Despite issuance of more than 0.4 million weapon licenses in this government's tenure, flow of sale of unlicensed weapons increased in province. Tando Allahyar became "BARRA of Sindh" in this regard.
This kind of disclosure was made in a high level meeting held at chief minister house here on Tuesday. Syed Qaim Ali Shah presided this and was attended by law Minister Ayaz Soomro, Information Minister Sharjeel Memon, Finance Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Secretary Raja Muhammad Abbas, ACS (Home) Waseem Ahmed, I.G Police Fayaz Ahmed Leghari, Deputy D.G Rangers Brigadier Muhammad Rafique Khan, Advocate General Sindh Fatah Malik, Prosecutor General Shahadat Aiwan, Secretary Law Ghulam Nabi Shah and others.
The meeting was informed that more than four Lac arms licenses have been issued in the province while an amount of Rs 75 million have been paid to NADRA for installation of computerised system in Home department and at all Divisional and District headquarters.
The owner of arms license will go to nearer NADRA office and will fill up necessary form which will be verified by respective S.P office. Besides Karachi, such machines have been installed at Hyderabad and Larkana.
The meeting was informed that there is flow of unlicensed weapons in the province and Tando Allahyar has become BARRA of sale and circulation of illegal weapons. It was informed that there is a huge quantity of unlicensed and illegal weapons. The meeting was informed further that during the period 2008 to 2012 (do date), there is 39.75% conviction of criminals by various courts in the province and 15,798 cases are lying pending.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Sindh said that there is need of amendments in certain laws including arms act. It was decided to form a committee comprising of Home Secretary Sindh, Advocate General Sindh, and Prosecutor General of Sindh and Law Secretary, which will consult with Federal Law Minister and will suggest such amendments early, so as to place the same before Sindh Assembly for passing the same.
It was decided that the process of police verification of arms licenses has been initiated and process of computerisation of arms licenses will be further enhanced. The meeting was informed that on through survey of Bank branches it was known that about 90 percent security guards are untrained and cannot cater the needs of security.
It was decided that Sindh Police will recruit 200-persons having degrees of law, who will be trained and assigned task of investigation and process of legal requirements. It was further decided that like old city areas, the SITE area will be provided prompt security and community policing will be encouraged. It was decided to take legal action against those who will take law into their hands and create problems to people of province. Other issues were also discussed. Syed Qaim Ali Shah has decided in meeting that Police, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies should have crackdown against those criminals and unauthorised shops indulged in sale of unlicensed/illegal arms and ammunition.-PR