Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: FILE
According to the prime minister, curbing licenses and mobilising the police force will help the current law and order situation in the country.
Nawaz Sharif took part in aerial surveillance with Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif prior to a briefing with police officials regarding police weapons.
In the same briefing, Nawaz Sharif spoke of plans to equip the police force better and hire new judges in the future.
Earlier, to help the law and order situation, additional 500 sub-inspectors were hired in Punjab.
COMMENTS (27)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Who can stop a bad guy with a gun?
The answer is: a good guy with a gun
Banning arms licences will not bring any peace. Those who use it for killing, terror are not bothered to carry a license. This will only disarm normal, good guys and deprive them of their rights of self defense. Please don't tell me that security agencies are here to stop- in Pakistan everyone should have a licensed weapon and have the right of self defense
Just cancelling licenses is not enough, recover the weapons for reasonable compensation. And, those who do not surrender their weapons and hide them, fine them.
@Billoo Bhaya: This is not possible without a military operation, which requires more political will than Nawaz Sharif has?
@Abdul Rehman: "The people who misuse these arms don’t need licenses. " . According to some stakeholders when Guard Qadri murdered Gov Taseer, he did not misuse any arms. He performed his religious obligation, by using a licensed weapon. The other guards despite possessing state issued licensed weapons did nothing to stop the murder of the person whom they were paid to guard. For their failure in performing their duties, they must be charged. . Undoubtedly, killing people is a favourite passtime of our tribally infused culture, every one has a license to kill. Besides cultural values, God's command seems to be in conflict with civil regulations. The Supreme Court's paralysis caused by this puzzle could be the reason for them proceeding further.
While I have never been a fan of PML-N, but even I can see at least the ATTEMPTS that Mian sahib is making, however misguided! Some suggestions: 1) Why burn fuel worth lakhs of rupees on aerial surveillance for what?? I hope not for licensed weapons. How about resorting to google maps for aerial surveillance in the future for all politicians including the moon spotting comittee.. 2) The licensed weapons are not doing anything. Kindly concentrate on getting qualified people to gut and revamp the entire police dept, if you want any semblance of security for the awam.. 3) Please stop giving out laptops!! the awam is hungry, devoid of electricity and with no access to healthcare. Providing laptops, is not going to solve anything. 4) On your upcoming delegation to China, kindly make sure to carry only the essential staff and no more on their honeymoon with their wives, so the exchequer can save a few bucks. Also travel policy for politicians and their accompanying suites in PIA owned hotels around the world should be curbed. More suggestions to follow if you are listening!
thanks
Get these out of the hands of Na Maloom Afraad pronto.
I am an ordinary law abiding citizen. My weapon license is my only way to defend my family as well as myself would God forbid a situation arise.
The decision to ban new issuance and cancellation of weapons licenses is not going to stop those who have illegal arms from committing crimes. Instead it emboldens them further as now they would be more sure that their next victim would be defenseless.
Is taking away my right to defend myself and my family a solution to our lawlessness?
Having a thorough scrutiny process would be much better than outright ban on new licenses or cancellation of existing licenses. A decision to crackdown on those possessing illegal arms is much more needed than taking away weapons from those who possess them legally.
He has taken a first step in the right direction. Others are expected to follow. Yes, just wait and other measures would surely be in the direction of controlling violence. Give the guy a break and give him some time to improve the many myriad problems confronting the nation. It is too soon to judge his performance.
It would be far better to issue 180 Million licenses and sleep peacefully Mr. PM
@Invincible: Zulfiqar Mirza was best Home Minister. First Na Maloom Afraad have to be found and then as ZM said "a burst of gunfire will do it".
A good intiative, he should also take action against those who make weapons' showoff a status symbol or a sign of power.
Save Pakistan. Kill Taliban.
Let me guess. None of them is owned by the punjab based banned organizations.
Even west has concern on GUN CONTROL, why the previous got issued licences. Good stem must be appreciated.Also need to control the weapon industry, control smuggling.
Well Done Mian Saheb. I have not been a fan of PML N but I really appreciate this step of yours. There should be a strict crack down on weapons ownership across the country- Karachi in particular.
Zulfiqar Mirza told in a press conference that he have distribute 300 Thousand or more license not for firing in wedding ceremonies only in Sind, retracting about 36,000 will not give you any help mister PM.
A good decision, both curbing the private licenses along with equipping police with latest weaponry. Majority of licenses issued in previous tenure were politically motivated.
A much needed step. But follow through is needed: get these 36,000 pieces of arms back.
Cancellation of Arms Licence is important, but it is more important to recover the illegal Arms which are in possession of different groups and factions who are killings uncounted people without any reason throughout the country.
A very strict policy should be made and all political and religious parties should cooperate with the Government to end the menace of target killings from Pakistan.
Made me smile!
ohh.. now TTP,MQM, BLA will stop their terror activities..
Enforcement of law and speedy justice is required. Do something to make this happen. Criminals and terrorists dont need licence. Wake up PM.
@rizwan: That`s what you think ? there are more UN-licensed weapons that do the killings....has any licensed weapons recovered during any killing..?
As in the past with PML N govt, only interested to keep Punjab especially Lahore...safe.Why not try to take similar aerial tour of South Punjab,Karachi, KP & Baluchistan....? True in their Patriotism...
Such decision will work in bringing much awaited peace in Pakistan.
The people who misuse these arms don't need licenses.