RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has cancelled all arms licences, irrespective of their categories, issued to 16 members of banned organisations whose names are on the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997.

According to sources, the move for the cancellation of the arms licences came about on the recommendation of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and deputy commissioners and that the concerned authorities in Punjab and the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) have been informed to take further action accordingly.

Divisional commissioners, divisional police chiefs, additional inspectors general of police, CTD, city police officers and district police officers across the province have been informed by the Punjab government that under rule 31 of the Punjab Arms Rules, 2017, the government has cancelled all arms licences, irrespective of their categories, issued to 16 members of banned organisations who are also placed on the ATA’s Fourth Schedule.

Names of the individuals are also on the Fourth Schedule

The names of the individuals, their CNIC numbers and arms licence numbers have been sent to the authorities concerned for intimation of cancellation of arms.

The individuals whose arms licences were cancelled are Haji Mushtaq Hussain, Mohammad Ilyas, Rana Mohammad Ilyas, Abdul Latif, Khalid Mehmood alias Mooda, Ejaz Ahmed, Ghulam Shabir Joiya, Abdul Hameed Khalid, Haq Nawaz, Ehsanullah, Rana Mamraiz Ali, Mohammad Asif Javed, Mohammad Abdullah, Mohammad Abu Zar Naqvi, Hafiz Mohammad Ahmed and Abdul Rasheed.

However, the reason for the cancellation of these licences was not given by the provincial authorities.

Under ATA 1997, all individuals placed on the Fourth Schedule are bound to inform the police when leaving their permanent residence and also when they return. They are also bound to submit a surety bond to the concerned police station, guaranteeing peaceful conduct.

A senior police official said it is not necessary that all members of a banned organisation be placed on the Fourth Schedule and that it depends case to case. However, he said, if someone is placed on the watch list, their arms licenses are cancelled under the law.

Licences can be cancelled for many reasons under the Punjab Arms Rules 2017 including if it is used for the commission of an offence or it is not renewed for three consecutive years. A licence can also be cancelled on receipt of a complaint as well.

Under the rules, the details of the cancellation are to be communicated to Nadra as well as the local police for record purposes and the confiscation of arms, if required. The cancelled arms are to be deposited in the strong room in the prescribed manner.

Under ATA, the police or any other government agency have powers to check and probe the assets of Fourth Schedulers or their immediate family members – including parents, wives and children –to ascertain whether their assets and sources of income are legitimate and are being spent on lawful objectives, a senior police official said adding that all the 16 individuals whose arms licenses have been cancelled are being watched by the police on regular basis.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2019