All arms licences issued by Interior Ministry stand ceased from Sept. 1, 2011, NADRA directed to make new arms licences

Karachi, August 08, 2011 (PPI): Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik Monday announced that all arms licences issued by the Interior Ministry shall stand ceased with effect from September 1, 2011 as “lot of forgery has been reported and their misuse for multiple entries against one arms licence.”

All arms licence holders have been advised to approach nearest National Database & Registration Authority NADRA office for new arms licence which has been specially designed with Smart Card to overcome forgery. All those licences not issued by NADRA will be cancelled and only those will be valid which were issued by NADRA duly authorized by Interior Ministry, Malik said in briefing on decisions taken at high level meeting chaired by him here. All NADRA offices directed to make new arms licences

available for people.

Malik said Police will be able to take recovery of all those weapons which don’t have valid entry by NADRA. It has also been decided that anybody carrying weapon without arms licence shall be dealt very severely and charged under Arms Ordinance 1969 & Anti-Terrorism Act. It will be non-bailable offence with punishment from seven to fourteen years. He warned public not to carry any illegal weapon and surrender these to nearest police station voluntarily.

The meeting attended by Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan, IG Police Sindh Wajid Durrani, CCPO Karachi Saud Mirza, Commander ISI Karachi Brigadier Shafiq, Sindh Rangers, Karachi Colonel Shafeeq, Additional Director FIA Karachi Azad Khan, General Manager Sindh NADRA, Karachi Zahid Ahmed, deliberated on ways and means to completely de-weaponise Karachi in phases. Police was directed to maintain forensic record of weapons used by criminals and target killers enabling law enforcement agencies to identify multiple use of same weapon in various crimes.

He said Rs 20,000 for automatic weapons and Rs 50,000 for heavy weapons as reward money is being announced for those who report about storage of illegal weapons in Karachi. Their identification will be kept secret. Anyone supplying information by mobile video with credible evidence against any criminals shall also be rewarded suitably.

The meeting noted with concern that mobile SIM cards are still being used in criminal activities which is constant way of aiding criminals. It was decided that all mobile telephone holders must send an SMS message on 668 and verify number of mobile SMS being used in his-her name and report to nearest police station, NADRA office, FIA if there is any mobile SIM issued fraudulently against his-her name. This must be done by all mobile phone users by August 31, 2011. Any mobile SIM found used in any crime shall be liable for legal action against owner.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority PTA has blocked 2.1 million mobile SIMs but there are reports that still many unverified SIMs were being used which need to be blocked. PTA Chairman was directed to use all available technical sources to block remaining unverified, fraudulently issued SIM Cards.

It was also decided that it will be mandatory on SHO of each police stations to collect, maintain complete population data of individuals, families of his area where NADRA & Population Census Commission will assist SHOs in Karachi, He will also maintain proper computerized record of criminals, suspects, land grabbers, drug barons of his jurisdiction. Deputy Inspector General DIG Police will ensure that respective administrative areas are regularly inspected and record of progress of community policing is maintained. The progress of Qasba Colony, Karachi was reviewed and further directions given to Additional IG Police special Branch to visit area in person with a team and submit report within next two days.

Rehman Malik lauded efforts undertaken by Police and Rangers for restoring law and order situation in Karachi and efforts will be continued against criminals without any discrimination. It was resolved that Police and Rangers will continue their targeted actions based on real-time intelligence and ensure peace in their respective jurisdictions.

It has come to notice that children, elders, women block streets when law enforcement agencies personnel reach at crime scenes or conduct raid based on intelligence in certain houses or streets. It appealed to community of respective areas not to repeat this practice as it is detrimental to their security, safety and amount to protecting criminals. People should to national duty and help law enforcement agencies rather than protecting criminals.

It was also noticed that electric, phone poles are being used for drumming and getting people together in areas which should be stopped. Anyone found instigating in gathering on crime scene shall also be liable for punishment. The meeting expressed satisfaction on areas being monitored by helicopters, other means and decided to enhance aerial monitoring further to pinpoint movement of criminals and suspects.