CRITICS have a long list of grievances against the Sindh government. They have a broken-down school system, health system, vehicle management system, land management system, water system, sanitation system — the list is endless. At the same time none can fault the Sindh government for its unbound generosity and its desire to make every citizen a full-fledged fighting force.

The Sindh government just nine days before it was to end of its tenure decided to amend its Arms Act. The existing Arms Act restricted the number of weapons a citizen could own to four. In an act of misplaced magnanimity this restriction was withdrawn and now a citizen can hold an unlimited number of weapons.

This decision is a blatant violation of Article 256, which forbids the formation of private armies and militias.

Should one consider this as the final statement of the Sindh government that the protection of life and property is no longer the domain of the state and each citizen must organise unlimited weapon-bearing goons to defend oneself or attack other citizens, as deemed appropriate?

Naeem Sadiq

Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2018