ISLAMABAD: Citing security reasons, a parliamentary committee on Tuesday asked the Ministry of Interior to lift the ban on automatic weapons.

“It is not possible for security personnel or individuals with non-automatic weapons to counter terrorists who use automatic weapons mostly AK-47 or Kalashnikov. We can agree to the ban if the government can ensure peace and security for every citizen and if it can ensure that terrorists will not attack our homes,” said PPP Senator Rehman Malik said.

Presiding over a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, he said in case the committee’s directions were not implemented its members will take the matter to the Senate for a debate.

We can agree to the ban if govt ensures peace and security for every citizen, says Rehman Malik

Though not on the agenda, the matter was raised by Senator Sardar Fateh Mohammad Hassani. His colleagues Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Shahi Syed and PML-N’s Javed Abbasi and others also argued against the ban.

“The government must ensure safety of life and properties of the citizens. The direction to ban automatic weapons has created disturbances among the citizens,” Mr Syed said.

The Cabinet Division through a notification late last year banned automatic weapons across the country. Almost all the cabinet members belonging to Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had opposed the proposal to ban the issuance of arms licences for prohibited and automatic weapons, citing security reasons.

However, some believed that the ban could improve the overall security situation in the country.

According to a handout issued by the Prime Minister Office, the holders of all automatic weapons would be required to convert their weapons to semi-automatic ones through authorised dealers within 90 days and register their weapons with National Database and Registration Authority to get fresh licences.

The government also offered an alternative that automatic weapon holders could hand over their arms to the government against a compensation of Rs50,000.

Bulletproof vehicles

The committee also recommended that all citizens be allowed to import and use bulletproof vehicles.

“Safety and security of all citizens is important. Why should only the rich and influential be allowed to own bulletproof vehicles? This committee does not endorse this discrimination,” said Mr Malik.

The committee also condemned Indian firing on the Line of Control that claimed the lives of four soldiers and civilians. It demanded the United Nations (UN) take notice of the unprovoked firing by Indian military, said Mr Malik.

“We also demand that the government lodge a protest with the UN,” he added.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2018