The Punjab government has introduced an ambitious plan to make the province free of illegal weapons, approving the Punjab Surrender Arms Act 2025 as part of a large-scale disarmament initiative.
Under the newly approved law, citizens have been given a 90-day deadline to voluntarily surrender illegal weapons, after which strict legal action will be taken against violators.
Key deadlines and targets
According to official sources, the Punjab Surrender Arms Act 2025 outlines clear timelines and measurable goals.
A 90-day deadline has been established for the recovery and destruction of all illegal firearms, while law enforcement agencies have been tasked with achieving a 75% reduction in firing incidents within 12 months.
Also read: Govt opens online applications for arms licences in Punjab
Moreover, officials will scrutinise all existing arms licences within the next six months, ensuring that no illegal or duplicate licences remain in circulation.
Audit process of arms dealers commenced
The audit process of arms dealers across Punjab has already started, with officials examining records of weapon sales and inventories to prevent illegal transfers or misuse.
Simultaneously, a province-wide inspection and verification of issued arms licenses has begun. The move is aimed at identifying fake or expired permits and ensuring that all legally owned weapons are properly registered and traceable.
Crackdown on illegal arms trade launched
As part of the implementation strategy, intelligence-based operations have been initiated against the supply, purchase, and sale of illegal weapons.
These operations are being conducted by law enforcement agencies in coordination with intelligence institutions to dismantle illegal arms networks operating in Punjab.
Also read: Fact check: Did Pakistan really sell arms to US for Ukraine war?
Officials have warned that strict legal action will be taken against those found involved in the manufacture, possession, or distribution of unlicensed firearms.
The Home Department of Punjab will closely monitor all progress under the new Act and will submit regular reports to the chief minister regarding the actions taken and milestones achieved.
