Updated on
Summary
Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Saturday directed the concerned officials to cancel all fraudulently issued arm licences besides arrest of people involved in the scam in line with the directives of the Supreme Court. The Minister issued these directives while chairing a high-level meeting following the investigations conducted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Malik also ordered to hold an inquiry into the allegation regarding issuance of fake arms licenses by some officials in connivance with some agents. After registration of FIR at the directive of the minister, the FIA arrested three section officers and a private individual named Shahzad. The arrested officials have been removed from the service. One of the accused is in jail, while the three section officers have been bailed out for which the prosecution agency has initiated the process for the cancellation of their bails.The minister also ordered an internal inquiry to determine the status of pending cases of licences. During the investigation, irregularities were found in the issuance of arms licences and non-credit of licence fee to the public exchequer. In the light of the inquiry report and the recommendations of the Standing Committee of the Parliament, it was ordered that arms licences be issued to those applicants who meet the criteria. It was also decided a franchise office of NADRA will be setup in the Parliament House for the facilitation of the parliamentarians. New licences will be issued after lifting of the ban by NADRA, on behalf of Ministry of Interior under the directives of the Ministry through an internationally recognized fool-proof and auditable system.
