Make way for the muzzle: K-P to issue licences for restricted bore weapons
Previously, these came under the prohibited category which has been now split into two types of arms.
Previously, these came under the prohibited category which has been now split into two types of arms. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
PESHAWAR:
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government will soon be entitled to issue licences for restricted bore weapons following the directions of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on November 11.
In the late 80s, the federal government had barred provinces from issuing licences for prohibited bore weapons; only the federal interior ministry was entitled to issue these.
More recently, prohibited weapons were split into two categories: prohibited and restricted. The verdict given by PHC Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan on September 20 said the present government has been streamlining procedures for issuing licences for restricted bore weapons. The judgment further read that each case must be extensively verified by the local police and administration before issuing a licence.
Talking to The Express Tribune, an official of the K-P home department further explained the categorisation of prohibited weapons: “Prohibited bore weapons include heavy guns used by the military, and restricted bore guns include Kalashnikovs and others.” Prohibited bore weapons can be neither manufactured nor sold, the official added.
He said the process of computerisation and finalising licence rules was in its final stage. “We are only waiting for the chief minister’s (CM) consent; once he approves the process, we will start issuing licences.” The official added the department does not need the CM’s approval to issue licences for low-category weapons.
“Only the relevant divisional commissioners will be entitled to issue the licence, and the quota for each commissioner is 25 licences per three months.” The fee for obtaining a restricted bore gun licence has also been reviewed.
Keeping in view law and order in the war-hit province, on April 1, 2012 the K-P government decided to account for arms licences issued previously. However, the officials found the data for around 3.5 million arms licences issued by the pre-2011 set-up was unavailable.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 13th, 2013.
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government will soon be entitled to issue licences for restricted bore weapons following the directions of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on November 11.
In the late 80s, the federal government had barred provinces from issuing licences for prohibited bore weapons; only the federal interior ministry was entitled to issue these.
More recently, prohibited weapons were split into two categories: prohibited and restricted. The verdict given by PHC Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan on September 20 said the present government has been streamlining procedures for issuing licences for restricted bore weapons. The judgment further read that each case must be extensively verified by the local police and administration before issuing a licence.
Talking to The Express Tribune, an official of the K-P home department further explained the categorisation of prohibited weapons: “Prohibited bore weapons include heavy guns used by the military, and restricted bore guns include Kalashnikovs and others.” Prohibited bore weapons can be neither manufactured nor sold, the official added.
He said the process of computerisation and finalising licence rules was in its final stage. “We are only waiting for the chief minister’s (CM) consent; once he approves the process, we will start issuing licences.” The official added the department does not need the CM’s approval to issue licences for low-category weapons.
“Only the relevant divisional commissioners will be entitled to issue the licence, and the quota for each commissioner is 25 licences per three months.” The fee for obtaining a restricted bore gun licence has also been reviewed.
Keeping in view law and order in the war-hit province, on April 1, 2012 the K-P government decided to account for arms licences issued previously. However, the officials found the data for around 3.5 million arms licences issued by the pre-2011 set-up was unavailable.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 13th, 2013.