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Punjab Takes Steps to Combat Illegal Firearms, Enhance Public Safety

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Punjab Home Department has initiated a campaign to strengthen public safety and reduce the proliferation of illegal firearms in the province. As part of this effort, all district officials have been directed to submit detailed reports on all confiscated and seized arms within three days. This directive aims to enhance the province's data-driven arms control system and ensure transparency and accountability in the issuance and renewal of arms licenses.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Punjab Home Department has directed all district officials to submit reports on confiscated and seized arms within three days.
  • The reports must include district-wise inventories of seized arms, detailing the type, make, model, calibre, serial number, and case particulars.
  • The data will be submitted in both hard and soft formats to the Home Department and the Crime Control Department (CCD) within the stipulated deadline.
  • The Punjab government has implemented a zero-tolerance policy toward unlicensed firearms, with offenders facing up to 14 years in prison and fines between Rs1 million and Rs3 million.
  • The Punjab Surrender of Illegal Arms Act 2025 has completed a comprehensive verification of all arms licenses and dealerships, ensuring transparency and accountability.
  • Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to intensify border surveillance, conduct arms tracing operations, and ensure secure storage and documentation of seized weapons.
  • The ultimate goal is to promote peace, stability, and citizen safety by systematically reducing the circulation of illegal firearms across Punjab.

Statistics:

  • 15-day amnesty period under the Punjab Surrender of Illegal Arms Act 2025 for citizens to voluntarily surrender unlicensed weapons.
  • 4-14 years imprisonment for offenders found in possession of illegal arms after the amnesty period.
  • Fines between Rs1 million and Rs3 million for offenders found in possession of illegal arms.
  • Arms licenses and dealerships to be verified and digitised in collaboration with NADRA, facilitating full traceability.

Sources:

  • Circular issued by Section Officer (Judicial-I) M Qasim Sandhu.
  • Punjab Surrender of Illegal Arms Act 2025.
  • Home Department's zero-tolerance policy toward unlicensed firearms.

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