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Punjab Halts Manual Arms Licence Computerization Ahead of De-Weaponization Drive

Officials ordered rapid consolidation of licensing data to guide enforcement against illegal weapons.

Overview

  • The Home Department suspended validation and computerization of manual arms licences effective November 11 and revoked earlier directives on the process.
  • Divisional commissioners and the Additional Secretary (Judicial) were tasked to compile consolidated figures for applications received between March 18 and November 11, 2025.
  • Commissioners and deputy commissioners were told to submit complete data by the evening of November 13, including licences issued and progress on illegal-arms collection.
  • Information Minister Azma Bukhari said 28 unlicensed arms dealers had their licences revoked and their shops sealed.
  • Officials noted the computerization effort began in 2016 with a final deadline of December 31, 2020, and reported that more than one million people in Punjab possess firearms.