LAHORE: The Punjab government’s proposed final bill on de-weaponisation introduces a detailed and uniform mechanism to regulate the surrender, deposit and return of arms and ammunition, reflecting the government’s stated resolve to curb the spread of weapons and strengthen oversight across the province.
Under the bill, four mandatory schedules have been prescribed, each supported by extensive documentation requirements. These schedules aim to ensure that every weapon — whether illicit, voluntarily surrendered, deposited after licence cancellation or returned following licence restoration — is formally recorded, verified and traceable.
Schedule A applies to the surrender of illicit arms and ammunition. It requires the person surrendering the weapon to provide complete personal details, including name, parentage, CNIC, contact number and address. The form also captures full particulars of the weapon, such as type, bore, make, serial number and ammunition details, along with photographic evidence. Information about the receiving officer, place and date of receipt, and confirmation of digital uploading is also mandatory. A signed and stamped copy of the form must be issued to the individual, while copies are to be shared with the deputy commissioner and the head of district police.
Schedule B governs the voluntary surrender of licensed arms and ammunition. In addition to personal particulars, it places emphasis on licensing information, including licence number, issuing authority, validity period and confirmation of receipt of the original licence. As with Schedule A, the form requires photographs of the weapon, details of ammunition received and immediate uploading to a joint database maintained by the Home Department and the authority under the law.
Schedule C addresses situations where licensed arms are deposited following the cancellation of an arms licence. It documents the complete profile of the licensee, details of the cancelled licence, weapon specifications and ammunition deposited. The form also records the officer receiving the arms and ensures that all information is preserved both in physical form and in the central digital system.
Schedule D relates to the return of previously deposited licensed arms after restoration of an arms licence. It records the restoration order, the authority issuing it, confirmation of original documents and precise details of the weapon and ammunition being returned. The process again requires photographic documentation and digital uploading to maintain a continuous and auditable trail.
The bill makes it mandatory that original signed and stamped copies of the relevant forms be provided to the concerned individual, while official copies are retained at the receiving office and circulated to the district administration and police leadership. Simultaneously, digital versions of all schedules are to be uploaded to a centralised database to ensure real-time access and institutional coordination.
Officials familiar with the draft say the proposed framework is intended to close longstanding gaps in arms regulation by introducing standardised procedures, reducing discretion and ensuring accountability. The statement of objects and reasons for the bill is to be added by the minister-in-charge before the legislation is formally tabled.
