The Punjab government has declared a series of new measures to crack down on weapons smuggling and strengthen security across the province.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired the fourth law and order meeting, where officials approved new laws on drone policing, integrated security, and arms regulation.
The meeting approved the launch of a pilot project for drone policing in Lahore.
This initiative aims to provide rapid, organised, and digital responses to crimes and emergencies. Police drones will be dispatched immediately to crime scenes, enabling authorities to track suspects in real time. If successful, the drone policing system will be expanded to other parts of the province.
Crackdown on Illegal Weapons
A major decision from the meeting was the introduction of the Punjab Surrender of Illegal Arms Act 2025. Under this law, the government will re-examine and scrutinise one million licensed weapons across Punjab.
The act will be implemented in three phases: the surrender of illegal arms, their destruction, and the strict enforcement of arms laws.
Illegal arms holders have been given 15 days to surrender their weapons. Authorities will also conduct a comprehensive check of all licensed arms, verifying both owners and issuers.
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The government will coordinate with federal authorities to verify federal arms licence holders residing in Punjab.
Going forward, only police personnel and registered security guards will be permitted to carry weapons.
Private security companies will be required to register under new provincial regulations, and their guards will be linked to the Punjab Police Helpline 15 for better coordination. A dedicated section will be created for related policing activities.
Weapon Scanners
To further curb arms smuggling, the government will install modern weapon scanners at 14 key entry and exit points across Punjab. Smuggling of arms will now carry a penalty of up to 14 years in prison.
Moreover, the annual arms licence fee will be doubled in an effort to discourage the proliferation of weapons.
