LAHORE, Nov 14: The Punjab government has abruptly halted the re-validation and computerisation of manual arms licences, rendering thousands of expired licences permanently invalid as the province prepares for an extensive de-weaponisation campaign.
In a letter circulated to all divisional commissioners, the Punjab Home Department announced the immediate cancellation of its March 18 directive that had allowed individuals, institutions and security companies to apply for renewal of lapsed manual licences until Nov 11, 2025. All applications already received before the deadline will, however, be reviewed.
The department has directed commissioners to submit a consolidated report within two days, detailing the number of applications received from March 18 to Nov 11, and categorising them as valid, invalid or already converted into computerised licences. Officials said the data would help the government determine its next steps as it prepares for a province-wide surrender and destruction of illegal weapons.
All manual licences cancelled in 2020 and not renewed till Nov 11, 2025, stand null and void for good. https://t.co/70TuWoDmKm
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) November 14, 2025
Manual arms licences that were not renewed by Dec 31, 2020, had already been deemed cancelled from Jan 1, 2021. Yet many licence holders continued to seek renewal, prompting the former home secretary, Noorul Amin Mengal, to reopen a limited window earlier this year. While the issuance of new arms licences has remained banned since April 2024, Mengal secured approval for the renewal of expired manual licences through divisional commissioners. That window has now permanently closed.
A senior Home Department official confirmed that all manual licences cancelled in 2020 and not renewed during the eight-month period ending Nov 11 “stand cancelled for good,” effectively rendering the weapons held under them illicit. Such arms, he added, must now be surrendered and will ultimately be destroyed by the government.
Authorities are aware of public fears that depositing illegal arms could expose individuals to criminal charges. To address this, the Home Department, along with the law and police departments, is working on the proposed Punjab Surrender of Illicit Arms Act 2025. Once approved by the provincial assembly, the law will offer a “grace period” during which individuals may voluntarily surrender weapons to designated officials without facing legal repercussions.
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Under the proposed legislation, the surrendered weapons will be logged and later destroyed under the supervision of a specially constituted oversight body. The government says the measures are part of a broader policy to curb the proliferation of illegal arms and improve public safety across Punjab.
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