ISLAMABAD, Sept 16: The country’s ministers for information, and social welfare and special education were issued licences by the government to keep prohibited-bore rifles, revealed the information placed before the Senate on Friday. In response to a question by Senator Hameedullah Jan Afridi, the Senate was told that two former prime ministers, Zafarulah Jamali and Chaudhry Shujaat, and four sitting ministers were given licences to keep prohibited-bore (PB) arms by the government in 2004.

Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was given licences to keep two prohibited bore weapons: an MP-5 and a 7.62mm rifle.

Federal Minister for Special Education Zobaida Jalal was issued a licence for a G-3 assault rifle. Minister of State for Interior Dr Shahzad Waseem and Minister of State for Housing and Works Sardar Asif Nakai were issued licences for 7.62mm rifles.

Former prime minister Zafarullah Jamali was issued a licence for a .556mm automatic rifle. President of the ruling party and former prime minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was issued a licence for an MP-5 rifle.

Former Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairman Gen (retired) Mohammad Aziz Khan was issued licences to keep 7.62mm and 5.56mm rifles.

Others who were issued licences for keeping prohibited-bore weapons included MNA Chaudhry Bilal Asghar (7.62mm rifle), Chaudhry Salik Hussain (MP-5 rifle), Amjad Ali (7.62mm rifle), and Chaudhry Khalid Javed (7.62mm rifle).

In addition to the individuals, Strategic Plans Division of Joint Staff Headquarters was issued licences for 30 MP-5A rifles. Another government organization, Suparco, was issued licences in the name of director to keep 10 MP-5 rifles for security.

Prominent in the list of 823 persons who were issued licences to keep non-prohibited bore weapons were NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani (.9mm pistol), Zahid Akram Durrani, a student (0.45mm pistol), and Gen (retd) Mohammad Aziz Khan (two .12 bore shot guns).