SINDH has enforced computerisation of arms licences, and Punjab is likely to follow suit. Both say this will improve the law and order situation and help to reduce acts of crime and terrorism.

How will the provinces achieve their objectives is beyond one’s imagination. People who have licensed arms are a harmless entity. Licensed arms are used very infrequently for terrorism and other crimes unless they have been stolen and reused for crimes.

In fact, a robber will be the greatest fool if he uses a single-shot gun, rifle or revolver/pistol while committing a crime. Sportsmen and gun lovers rarely use automatic weapons whose licences, I believe, are banned for public use.

To make matters worse, the public is unnecessarily required to pay Rs1,000 per weapon, in spite of holding arms licences. The province says: “We are not charging this amount, this is Nadra’s fee for computerisation.”

Nadra must have made millons in the process. It may be mentioned that the NIC scheme started off as a free service but today if one has to remove or add a fullstop, he must pay Rs1,000. Why should people be charged Rs1,000 per weapon when they are in possession of arms licences?

If this is someone’s brainwave in the province, let the province pay the amount from its own resources, why burden the law-abiding citizen?

The focus of the province should have been on unlicensed weapons which are a major contributer to crime in the country.

Imagine if all the funds and manpower which have been deployed on licensed arms and their computerisation was instead mobilised for unearthing and seizing unlicensed arms, it would have improved the law and order situation in the country.

Farhat Asrar
Karachi