The inspection of stock of Arms Dealers was conducted on the directions of IGP Punjab Captain Retired Arif Nawaz Khan across the Province.
Licenses of fifteen Arms Dealers have been canceled due to incomplete records and having more than sanctioned arms in their stock whereas 18 cases have been registered against them.
970 illegal weapons and 185225 bullets and cartridges have been recovered from the weapon dealers during the stock checking.
Inspector General of Police Punjab Captain Retired Arif Nawaz Khan has said that there is no leniency for those who are involved in illegal selling and buying of arms across the Punjab CCPO Lahore along with all RPOs, CPOs and DPOs should continue the process of stock checking in accordance with the already defined SOPs and inspection of arms dealers in their respective districts regularly. IGP said that there should be no delay in taking strict legal action who violate the law. He moreover said that regular stock checking of arms dealers in all districts should be ensured and inspection report should be submitted to central police office without any delay. He said that the officers who are found showing slackness in taking action with respect to inspection will be held accountable. IGP added that it should be keenly supervised that no arms dealers has links with any smuggler and its network of business of arms should be monitored. These directions were given to CCPO Lahore, all RPOs, CPOs and DPOs in a notification issued to them.
The report regarding stock checking of arms dealers has been provided to IGP Punjab by Additional IGP operations Punjab Inam Ghani in which it has been revealed that inspection and checking of stocks of 458 arms dealers in all districts of province has been conducted last day and license of 15 arms dealers have been canceled whereas 18 cases have been registered against them. He further told that during the stock checking police teams of Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Lodhran and Pakpatan have seized huge amount illegal arms and weapons which includes 970 illegal weapons and 185225 bullets. Kalashankoves, Guns, rifles, Pistols and Revolver along with other weapons are included in the recovered Arms. He further told that a legal action has been taken against 22 arms dealers based upon expiry of arms license whereas during the campaign of arms checking collectively the stock of 378 arms dealers was found registered according to stock laws. While issuing directions, IGP Punjab said that police should close coordination with concerned institutions regarding use of licensed weapons in criminal activity and also ensured quick legal action along with cancellation of license. He furthermore said that besides senior officers SPs and DSP level officers should monitor the business activities of arms dealers in their areas and also ensure regular checking of stock in accordance with SOPs issued by the IG Office. IGP added that it should be carefully notice that only registered arms dealer can run their shops of arms dealing and they should not be involved in any illegal and unlawful activity.
(Handout No. 263)
Nayab Haider
Director Public Relations
Punjab Police
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