Lahore: The Punjab Home Department has immediately suspended revalidation and computerisation of manual arms licences provincewide, withdrawing its February 25 directive that offered a final digitisation window. A new circular to commissioners and judicial officials orders halting new applications, cancelling prior instructions, and compiling reports on applications received, booklets verified, and licences declared genuine or fake since February.
The move clears the path for a sweeping de-weaponisation campaign targeting illicit arms. Launched under the Punjab Surrender of Illegal Arms Act 2025, a 15-day amnesty ended recently; post-amnesty, illegal possession carries up to 14 years imprisonment and Rs1–3 million fines. Districts must now submit seized-weapons data. Begun in 2016 via NADRA, the digitisation drive aimed to curb forgery but faced delays. Unverified manual licences risk permanent invalidation, leaving pending applicants in limbo. The government vows lasting peace through weapon eradication.