Punjab’s illegal weapons problem puts question mark on priorities

Ammunition smuggled in from K-P has found a huge market in the province

LAHORE:

The rise in street crime in Punjab’s major cities can perhaps be attributed to the smuggling and sale of illegal weapons, which has risen to an unprecedented level; and the provincial government has failed to curb its growth.

According to details shared by sources in the law enforcement agencies of the province, Punjab is on its way or may very well be the country’s biggest market for illegal weapons.

The weapon of choice is a 9mm pistol, which has a price range of Rs 7,000 to Rs 45,000 and its buyers are not confined to a particular age or segment of society.

Punjab Police officials, who spoke to The Express Tribune under the condition of anonymity, informed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (K-P) merged districts, formerly known as Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), are the main source of supply for illegal weapons.

“Action has been taken several times against suspect arm dealers, a few of which have shops on Ravi Road in Lahore, but it is hard to curb the sales,” a police officer confided. When asked how the weapons were being brought into Punjab, the official laid the blame squarely on K-P’s police department.

“A comprehensive search of every passenger bus or truck carrying vegetables, fruits, and other goods coming into Punjab is not possible. The K-P police should ensure they check every vehicle that comes from the tribal areas, thoroughly and effectively. There is also a dire need for them to strengthen their information network,” the official opined. An arms dealer based in Lahore, revealed under the condition of anonymity, that it was true that most illegal weapons were coming in from K-P. “Some of the dealers from K-P have also managed to set up shops in Punjab and they pay bribes on a monthly basis to the police and the district administration,” the arms dealer alleged, adding that one only needed to ask the dealers for their NADRA certificate and would find that they did not possess one.

As per information obtained by the law enforcement agencies, during a NADRA scrutiny of arms dealers in Punjab, it was learnt that only 319 out of 550 dealers in the province were classified as genuine and legal as they had the requisite NADRA certificate. Furthermore, the scrutiny also revealed that NADRA only renewed 1 million licences of ammunition in the form of smart cards, therefore, most of the ammunition licences people have may be fake or invalid, as per police sources. Retired Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Rana Shahid, commenting on the matter, said that FATA had always been a hub for the sale and purchase of arms.

“Illegal ammunition is sent from the merged district to all of Pakistan,” Shahid remarked. Adviser to Chief Minister for Punjab’s Home Department, when quizzed about the government not being able to enforce its writ by rooting out illegal weapons dealers, replied that a comprehensive system had been developed in collaboration with NADRA to computerise the sale and purchase of arms.

“This new system will have complete data on customers as well as real-time monitoring of the stocks, purchases, and sales of arms dealers. Those found involved in illegal sale and purchase will have their licences revoked” Cheema informed while talking to The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2022.