PESHAWAR, Oct 22: The Home and Tribal Affairs Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has promulgated new arms policy for the province, Federally Admini-stered Tribal Areas (Fata) and Provincially Admini-stered Tribal Areas (Pata).

According to a handout issued here on Saturday, licences of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for non-prohibited bore (NPB) weapons may be issued to all individuals having computerised national identity card (CINC) irrespective of his district of domicile, subject to verification by the police, for a period of one year ending on December 31 by the district coordination officer/political agent concerned, in exercise of the powers delegated to them by the home department.

The official document of the policy states: “In exercise of powers conferred under section (II) of Pakistan Arms Ordinance 1965, the competent authority has been pleased to approve the Arms Policy for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Fata and Pata.”

Under the policy, a list showing details of individual licences issued in each district/agency shall be furnished to the home department on fortnight basis, duly countersigned by the district coordination officer/ political agent concerned, to ensure that the sanctioned quota is strictly adhered to.

In case of failure, powers of issuance of licences will be withdrawn from the DCO/PA concerned. Convicts – excluding those charged for minor offences or traffic violation – would not be eligible to arms licence. The document says that shotgun, revolver, pistol and rifle other than prohibited bore and sword could be kept as licensed weapon.

Explaining the policy about all Pakistan licences, the official document stated that the validity of the NPB might be extended to other provinces by the home department on the recommendation of the concerned district coordination officer and political agent or commanding officer in case of army men.

However, all licences shall be routed through the DCO/PA who issued it. Each district/agency shall nominate a focal person to coordinate affairs of arms licences with the home department.

According to the policy, arms licences of NPB of other provinces will also be considered for extension of validity to whole Pakistan subject to the verification by a gazetted officer or a member of the National Assembly, provincial assembly or Senate. — APP