CJP says his name added to prohibited-bore licence category without permission

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday rejected a report of the interior ministry on issuance of licences for prohibited-bore weapons after expressing dissatisfaction and summoned the attorney general for Pakistan (AGP) on the next date of hearing.

A three-member SC bench, head by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, heard a suo moto case regarding issuance of licences of prohibited-bore weapons. The court raised questions over the rules regarding issuance of prohibited-bore weapons licences to a particular class and observed that despite a ban under the law, rules permitted it. “When there is a ban in the law, then why the rules permit it,” the CJP questioned, adding that people were roaming around with Kalashnikovs and innocent people were being killed.

The CJP asked the interior secretary to point out a country where people carry Kalashnikovs, adding that here one could find people carrying it. The CJP further said that without his permission, his name had been included in the category for keeping the prohibited-bore licence. “I have also written a letter in this regard which was not replied yet,” the CJP added.

The court also raised questions over lack of procedure of verification whereby prohibited-bore licences are being issued. He observed that the federal government issues licences for prohibited-bore weapon, adding that how a policeman in Gwadar could verify whether the licence shown was genuine or fake.

The court also took a strong exception to the report pertaining to action not taken against DIG Mardan as well as submitting report without signature of the relevant person of the interior ministry.

To a court query, it was informed that as per data of 2010, around 117,000 licences of prohibited-bore weapons had been issued, adding that judges, president of Pakistan, prime minister, ministers, chief ministers, Senate chairman, speakers of assemblies as well as officers from Grade 19 to 22 were entitled for getting licences of prohibited-bore weapons. The interior secretary told the court that rules were being reviewed, adding that people with security threat were entitled to keep the prohibited-bore weapons, but with some conditions.

The court adjourned the hearing and summoned the AGP on the next date of hearing.