FAR too much water has found its way under the bridge, and the time has come when the bridge itself is under threat of being swept away.

Under the present perilous circumstances when the bridge has to be saved from collapse, where other measures are also imperative, a ban on unlicensed arms appears absolutely necessary.

Arms have sabotaged peace, and people are scared of walking in the streets. Karachi appears to have been shut down and business activity almost paralysed.

The main cause of the paralysis is the presence of arms. It is time those who possessed arms laid these down.

It is, therefore, time unlicensed arms were required to be laid down. The government would be justified in requiring holders of all unlicensed arms to lay them down at a stated place.

This measure would not only prevent the perilous activity by the holders of arms but would also help in holding peaceful elections.

AKBAR KHAN Karachi