August 8, 2002	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 28,1423

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QUETTA, Aug 7: Balochistan government has lifted ban on issuance of arms licences.

According to an order issued by the home department on Wednesday, people can apply for licences for non-automatic weapons, including shotguns (12/14/16-bore, including pump action), revolvers, pistols and 22-bore rifles.

A maximum quota of 20 licences has been fixed per month for each district.

The home secretary will approve the new licences on the recommendations of district coordination officers after verification by the district police officer and district administrative officer of the district concerned.

The procedure would continue for six months and the licences would be valid only for Balochistan.

Arms licences for the whole of the country would be issued by the interior division.

Income and agriculture taxpayers, officers of BPS-17 and above, foreign diplomats (on the recommendations of the foreign affairs ministry) and registered security companies can apply for the licences.

Professionals, including doctors, engineers and lawyers and any other organization, group or individual can also apply with the approval of the interior minister.

The licence holders would purchase weapons only from dealers cleared by the home department.