Absurd changes

Increasing the pay, perks and privileges of the ruling class and heavily taxing and complicating procedures for common citizens has been our official culture for decades. An example of this trend is the 150 per cent increase in the non-prohibited bore (NPB) arms licences fee from Rs20,000 to Rs50,000 in Punjab and the introduction of a complex computerized application procedure as compared to the previous simple and cheap system of renewal in nearby post offices.

Computerization with expensive imported computer systems on the pretext of verification was not necessary when licences registered with post offices could also be verified. Law abiding arms-licence holders are dumbfounded and shocked by this increase. Meanwhile, illegal arms holders in Punjab pay nothing. Sure, the caretaker government has done some commendable jobs but what prompted it to increase the arms licence fee and thereby discourage self defence against armed criminals is beyond comprehension.

M Akram Niazi

Rawalpindi