Punjab stops digitising arms permits, plans major crackdown on illegal weapons

LAHORE: The Punjab Home Department has abruptly halted the revalidation and digitisation of all manual arms licences across the province, signalling the government’s shift toward an aggressive de-weaponisation campaign.

A new notification issued this week cancels an earlier directive from February 25 that had offered individuals, institutions, and private security companies a final window to convert old paper licences into computerised records. A news report by Express Tribune said that officials have now been instructed to stop accepting fresh applications and to disregard all previous orders tied to the digitisation effort.

Divisional commissioners and the Home Department’s judicial wing have been asked to submit consolidated reports covering every arms-licence-related activity since February. These summaries must detail how many applications were received, how many licences were sent for verification, and which ones were confirmed as authentic or fraudulent by district authorities.

According to the department, the suspension is part of groundwork for a sweeping province-wide initiative aimed at confiscating illegal firearms and munitions. The campaign follows the passage of the Punjab Surrender of Illegal Arms Act 2025 in late October, which granted a 15-day amnesty for voluntarily handing over unlicensed weapons. Those caught with illegal arms after the grace period now face up to 14 years in prison and fines of Rs1 million to 3 million.

Punjab first launched its arms licence computerisation drive in 2016 to replace easily forged manual booklets with secure digital records issued through NADRA. The process was originally supposed to end in 2020, after which unverified manual licences were automatically cancelled. The scheme was briefly reopened earlier this year before being rescinded through the latest order.

Officials say the new measures are meant to curb the proliferation of illegal weapons and bolster public safety. Provincial Information Minister Azma Bukhari recently noted that significant progress had been made in digitising licence issuance, renewal, and verification systems.

District administrations have also been instructed to share updated data on confiscated illegal firearms to help shape the operational phase of the upcoming crackdown.

The policy shift leaves uncertainty for citizens who were still waiting to have their old licences digitised. The government has not yet clarified whether pending applicants will receive another chance or whether their manual permits will now be considered void.