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Govt's move to deweaponise society provides relief to people

Muhammad Riaz

Lahore: The government decision of deweaponising the society has provided a sigh of relief to the general public, but has simultaneously created confusion and apprehension amongst the concerned people on the aspect of its enforcement by the relevant law-enforcing agencies.

The measure if at all has to be effectively executed also needs a simultaneous redressal of the problems culminating from its execution.

The Interior Minister had already stated that the government has resolved to deweaponising the society and indicated that troops would be called for the help of law enforcing agencies in order to effectively implement the plan.

In its first attempt, the government has imposed a ban on display of weapon throughout the country from March 1. As far as the ban is concerned, there is nothing new in it because Section 11-B of the Pakistan Arms Ordinance 1965, already prohibits carrying and displaying arms within the premises of educational institutions - the premises of the hostels or boarding houses - fairs, congregations, processions (political as well as religious), ceremonial or sectarian gatherings, court premises, and law or public offices.

The section also contains that any person keeping, carrying, displaying any arms in contravention of any order issued under Sub-Section (1) may be disarmed by any magistrate, public office or other persons empowered by the government in this behalf. While the Ordinance also deals with the penalty under Section 13 for breaching Section 4, 5, 8 to 11.

In the light of provisions available in the Arms Ordinance, the government action in this regard is nothing new. However, deweaponization could be a real task for the government to ensure weapon-free society and maintain law and order in the country. But, according to office-bearers of the All Pakistan Arms and Ammunition Dealers Association, any move of deweaponization could cause a loss of about Rs. 100 million to the Punjab government only. Besides this, the business of arms and ammunition contribution to the national exchequer in the shape of customs duty, sales tax, excise duty, income tax and dealership fees.

According to the claim, about 1.8 million people at present hold licenses in the province, additionally over 0.2 million people whose licenses are issued by the other provinces, but annually renewed in Punjab province. Every license holder has to pay Rs. 250 to Rs. 500 on account of renewal of their license.

If the government restricts itself to the enforcement of ban on issuance of new licenses, an order No SO (A&S) HD-NOC (37)/94 dated September 28, 1998, issued by the Government of Sindh, regarding lifting of such ban is pertinent to mention.

According to the order, the Sindh government has admitted that continuous ban was facilitating free-trade of illegal arms in the province. The non-checking at exit routes is further proving counter productive, the order adds.

The ban was imposed throughout the country on July 17, 1995, due to deteriorating law and order situation in Sindh.

The directives frequently issued regarding imposition of ban by the Punjab government is reflective of the fact that the authorities were still unclear about the policy of the federal government. The Punjab Home Department issued a directive, bearing No. SO (Judl-1) 1-75/2000-C dated February 29, according to which a complete ban was imposed on the display and the carrying of all none-prohibited and prohibited bore, whereas in its subsequent directive dated March 2, imposed ban only on the display of arms.

In second directive, the Punjab government has granted permission to license-holders for carrying arms but in a concealed manner.

The law enforcing agencies have been, however, directed to comply with the government orders strictly. The fact has created harassment amongst the license-holders due to their lack of trust in country's police. In order to avoid such eventualities the government must rationalize its policy and provide protection to the public in this regard.