Overview
- The Home Department halted verification, revalidation and computerisation of old manual arms licences with immediate effect and revoked earlier directives, including a February 25 guidance that reopened the process.
- Divisional commissioners and the Additional Secretary (Judicial) were told to submit consolidated reports covering March–November activity, with data on applications, verifications and genuine or fake determinations by November 13.
- A fresh circular also stopped the receipt of new applications and directed district administrations to provide data on seized illegal arms to shape the operational phase of the campaign.
- The move is tied to the Punjab Surrender of Illegal Arms Act 2025, which provides a 15-day voluntary surrender window before penalties that can include up to 14 years in prison and fines of Rs1–3 million.
- Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said 28 unlicensed arms dealers’ licences were revoked and shops sealed, while the government has not clarified the status of pending applicants still attempting to digitise old licences.