Sindh Assembly passes bill seeking tighter rules on arms sales

E-Paper | April 24, 2026

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill seeking tightened legislation on firearm sales in the province.

The “Sindh Arms Amendment Bill 2016” will be implemented with immediate effect.

The bill bounds arms dealers to get thumb impression of every buyer verified from the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) before making a deal.

No sale of firearms or ammunition could be made without having a computerised national identity card (CNIC), the bill stated.

To ensure tracking down the culprits in case of a weapon’s use in any crime, the bill makes it mandatory for the dealer to deposit two fired casings of bullets from the weapon before handing it over to the buyer. The bullet casings will be deposited to a forensics lab.

Moreover, copies of each document relevant to the sale of a weapon will be passed on to governmental authorities.

The bill was proposed by PPP senior leader Nisar Khuhro.

The Sindh chief minister was informed last month that some 540,000 firearm licences had not been verified by their holders with the relevant offices in the province.

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Shehz

Sep 28, 2016 03:59pm

All licensees should be required to take mandatory safe gun handling course before next renewal; new license applicants to go through the course as well.

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Logicaldude

Sep 28, 2016 05:41pm

A fine example of closing the barn doors after the horses have run away. Besides no government measure is ever as effective as public is led to believe. So we will see.

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Sep 28, 2016 05:45pm

Nice Action !

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Smart Solution

Sep 28, 2016 05:46pm

About time. Its important to keep track how many weapons in the country. How about make expiry date to all existing weapon licensing. Than order to re-register within 90 days all the weapons with proper identification or return to government for destruction (no questions asked), otherwise weapon becomes un-licensed and illegal possession. This way, government will collect lots of licensing fee and get rid of illegal weapons.

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Khanm

Sep 28, 2016 08:50pm

Do they know how easy it is to get illegal weapons in Pakistan ..in my opinion every law biding citizen with out any crime record should have one cos our government cannot provide security

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SYED A. MATEEN

Sep 28, 2016 08:53pm

It is noted that government always come into action whether it is a matter of crackdown or passing a particular law after unrepairable damage is done in the society. Passing law is a different matter than recovery of unlicensed arms and ammunition which is not only spread, sold and transported from the illegal manufacturing units and sold to end users. The Sindh chief minister was informed that some 540,000 firearm licences had not been verified by their holders with the relevant offices in the province. This means that holders of arms and ammunition are not ready to declare that they possess illegal arms and ammunition. So what initiative Sindh govt will take so that people should come forward in declaring their arms and ammunition which they are possessing illegally? Lawmakers should not should not delay any matter unnecessarily which is a matter of saving precious human lives whether it is a matter of arms and ammunition, counterfeit medicines or fake mineral water bottles.

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asif khan

Sep 28, 2016 10:36pm

what a joke.. do any one really belive that those who have intent to carry out crime will get legal guns or hand them over to athorities or get registered or buy from legel source.. this law will make common legal and law abiding person more unsafe.. bottem line the state has fail to peform its duty in protecting the people.. the people has the right to protect themselfs and there property.. Guns should be sold to anyone who have a valid ID just like moblie sim card period no question ask.

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Abrar

Sep 28, 2016 10:52pm

This subject should be with the centre. Anybody from Punjab can bring a Punjab licensed firearm into Sindh.

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