Punjab seeks report on seized illegal weapons

Home dept orders province-wide audit as part of data-driven arms control strategy

LAHORE:

In a step toward eliminating the proliferation of illegal firearms, the Punjab Home Department has directed all deputy commissioners, district police officers (DPOs), city police officers (CPOs) and the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore to submit detailed reports on all confiscated and seized illegal weapons within three days.

According to an official circular issued by Section Officer (Judicial-I) M Qasim Sandhu, the move is part of the department's broader strategy to enhance public safety and maintain law and order through a data-driven arms control system.

The circular emphasized that the widespread presence of illicit weapons poses "a direct threat to public safety, challenges the rule of law, and fuels criminal activities."

Under the new directive, officers across the province must compile district-wise inventories of seized arms, detailing the type, make, model, calibre, serial number, and case particulars, including FIR number, police station, accused names, and the current custody status of each weapon.

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.

A spokesperson for the Home Department said the initiative reflects the provincial government's zero-tolerance policy toward unlicensed firearms and its commitment to sustainable peace. "Possession or trade of illegal weapons will not be tolerated under any circumstances," the spokesperson stated.

He added that Punjab has completed a comprehensive verification of all arms licenses and dealerships, ensuring transparency and accountability in issuance and renewal processes.

"Every license — individual and institutional — has been verified and digitised in collaboration with NADRA, enabling full traceability," he said.

Officials noted that the current data collection drive would help evaluate the impact of the Punjab Surrender of Illegal Arms Act 2025, which offered a 15-day amnesty for citizens to voluntarily surrender unlicensed weapons.

Under the new law, offenders found in possession of illegal arms after the amnesty face four to 14 years in prison and fines between Rs1 million and Rs3 million.

A senior Home Department official said the province is moving from a reactive to a preventive and intelligence-based approach to arms control. The ongoing collaboration between the Home Department and CCD will enable systematic tracking of weapons and dismantling of smuggling networks.

Law enforcement agencies have also been instructed to intensify border surveillance, conduct arms tracing operations, and ensure secure storage and documentation of seized weapons.

The Home Department reiterated that the ultimate goal is to promote peace, stability, and citizen safety by systematically reducing the circulation of illegal firearms across Punjab.

The Punjab government decided that only police personnel and registered security guards will be allowed to possess weapons. Private security companies will be registered in Punjab under effective regulations.

It was also decided that private security guards will be linked with the Punjab Police Helpline 15, and a section will be created for related policing activities.