The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has announced a strict 10-day deadline for arms licence holders to register their weapons, warning that failure to comply could result in licence cancellation, immediate arrest and confiscation of firearms.
According to a notification issued by the AJK Home Department on Thursday, all residents possessing licensed weapons must register their arms licences at their nearest police stations within 10 days of the notification’s issuance.
The directive applies to all arms licence holders residing in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, regardless of whether their licences were originally issued in AJK or elsewhere in Pakistan.
Under the new instructions, citizens must visit their nearest police station, where the station house officer (SHO) or an authorised representative will record their licence details and issue an official registration slip.
The Home Department has also directed police authorities to prepare verified lists of registered arms licences and submit them daily to the relevant deputy commissioners and superintendents of police.
The government has warned that any arms licence not registered within the specified 10-day period will be treated as cancelled.
Furthermore, individuals found possessing firearms without completing the mandatory registration process could face legal action, including immediate arrest and seizure of their weapons.
Officials said the initiative is aimed at strengthening monitoring of licensed firearms, preventing the circulation of illegal weapons and improving public security across Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The Home Department has urged all eligible citizens to complete the registration process before the deadline to avoid legal consequences.
The new measures form part of the government’s broader efforts to curb the illegal possession, use and supply of weapons throughout the region.
Earlier, the Sindh government imposed an indefinite ban on issuing new arms licences across the province.
The provincial home minister ordered the closure of the Arms Section, and Section Officer Taimoor Altaf Memon has been removed from his post.
The Services, General Administration and Coordination Department issued a notification regarding the decision on Tuesday.
On the other hand, Services for the renewal, modification and issuance of duplicate computerised arms licences are now also available at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) offices.
According to directions issued by the Ministry of Interior, citizens seeking to renew, modify or obtain a duplicate computerised arms licence should now visit the designated licence counters at NADRA offices.
In an awareness message, NADRA informed citizens that various arms licence-related services are being provided at dedicated counters in its offices.
According to the instructions, holders of arms licences that have been cancelled by the Ministry of Interior can also approach the relevant NADRA counter to apply for renewal.
Citizens can also update personal information mentioned on their arms licence, including their photograph, name, father’s name, current address and permanent address, in accordance with their identity records.
NADRA said that any changes to retainer details, referring to information about the person authorised to possess the weapon, must first be processed through the Ministry of Interior.
Citizens have been advised to bring all required documents along with their previous arms licence card to complete the process of obtaining a duplicate licence.
NADRA has also provided its 1777 helpline and website to assist citizens and provide further guidance regarding these services.
NADRA opened a new centre in Islamabad for citizens seeking services related to federal arms licenses issued by the Ministry of Interior.
According to NADRA, all federal arms licence services have now been shifted to the Pakistan Aasaan Khidmat Centre in Sector G-9, Islamabad.
Previously, people could visit the NADRA Mega Centre in Blue Area or the NADRA Regional Head Office in G-10 for these services. However, citizens seeking federal arms licence services will now have to visit the newly designated centre in G-9.
