20000225

Ban on display

of arms in Capital

effective from

March 1

ISLAMABAD: Strict ban on display of arms would be ensured in the Islamabad with effect from March 1.

Chief Commissioner Khalid Saeed has directed that only uniformed official staff would be entitled to keep arms while on duty and none else would be allowed to carry arms.

The district administration officials have been advised to inform the private security agencies accordingly as staff of these agencies was also not permitted to keep arms in open.

Khalid Saeed said the government is committed to weed out terrorism from the country and in this respect the orders by the Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf would be strictly enforced.

The display and carrying of arms will be prohibited from March 1, 2000 according to the decision taken by the government.

A spokesman of the Ministry of Interior said the display of arms would be punishable by seven years while giving warning about the laws regulating the carrying and display of arms at public places.

He said a public display of arms is punishable with imprisonment for a term extendable 7-year or with fine or with both.

Same punishment will be applicable to those involved in serial firings at Basant or marriage parties, the spokesman further warned.ÑAPP