Updated: Tuesday September 28, 2021/AthThulatha Safar 21, 1443/Mangalavara Asvina 06, 1943, at 11:13:00 AM

MOST IMMEDIATE

F. No. 12/4/2020-Arms (PB) Government of Pakistan

Ministry of Interior

Islamabad the 14^thSeptember, 2021

From SEEP JAN,

Section Officer (Arms-PB)

To Director (ALP),

NADRA Headquarters, G-10/4, Islamabad

SUBJECT: PAKISTAN ARMS RULES 2021

I am directed to refer to subject noted above and to enclose herewith a copy of “Pakistan Arms Rules, 2021 dated 09-09-2021” for further necessary action at your end, please.

Section Officer(Arms)

Government of Pakistan

Ministry of Interior

Islamabad the 9^thSeptember, 2021.

NOTIFICATION

S.R.O. (1)/2021, In exercise of the powers conferred by section Il of the Arms Ordinance, 1965 (W.P. Ordinance No. XX of 1965), read with section I IA thereof, the Federal Government is pleased to make the following rules, namely:---

CHAPTER 1

PRELIMINARY

1, Short title and commencement.—(l) These rules shall be called the Pakistan Arms Rules, 2021.

(2) These rules shall come into force at once.

2. In these rules, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context;

(a) “applicant” means the applicant for a licence;

(b) “authorized dealer” means the person authorized by the Federal Government or any other Provincial Government for sale and purchase of arms on behalf of the original licensees; and

(d) “CNIC” means computerized national identity card;

(e) “DC” means Deputy Commissioner, or his successor in office, by whatever name called;

“form” means an application form provided by NADRA for grant or renewal of arms licence;

(g) “institution” means any organization, public or private, established under the law, educational, business or worship places, hospitals or security companies, etc.;

(h) “legal heir” means the person who is entitled to succeed to the possession of arms, after the death of licensee i.e. spouse of the licensee, parents, children, brother and sister only;

“NADRA” means the National Database and Registration

Authority established under the National Database and Registration Authority Ordinance, 2000 (VIll of 2000);

G) “NRC” means NADRA Registration Centre designated or established for the purpose of these rules;

(k) “Ordinance” means the Pakistan Arms Ordinance, 1965

(W.P. Ord. No. XX of 1965);

“retainer” means the person, authorized by the Government of Pakistan to look after and carry the arms licensee;

(m) “rules” means the Pakistan Arms Rules, 2021 ;

(n) “succession certificate” means a succession certificate issued by NADRA or, as the case may be, an court of competent judiciary in accordance with the law for the time being in force;

2. All other words and expressions used in these rules but not defined herein shall have the same meaning as assigned there to in the Ordinance.

Chapter -11

3, Classification of weapons: There shall be the following two categories of weapons for grant of licences under these rules, namely:-

(a) prohibited bore weapon (PB weapon); and

(b) non-prohibited bore weapon (NPB weapon).

4. Licences for PB weapon: The Minister Interior Division shall be competent to issue licences for PB weapon in respect of all Pakistan.

5, Eligibility for PB weapon licence:- (1) The following categories of persons along with certain conditions may make application for licence of PB weapons, namely:-

(a) President of Pakistan;

(b) Prime Minister of Pakistan;

(d) Speaker, National Assembly;

(e) Chief Justices and Judges of Supreme Courts and High Courts;

(f) Governors and Chief Ministers;

(g) Federal Ministers;

(h) Members of Senate, National Assembly and Provincial Assembly;

(i) Federal Government officers of not less than BP -22 and equivalent;

(j) Government officers in BPS-21 and equivalent duly recommended by their concerned heads of organizations; and

(k) every person paying tax not less than one hundred thousand Rupees per annum and who is filer of tax returns online and whose name is borne on active tax payers list of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

(2) Each applicant shall be entitled upto two PB weapon licences.

(3) There shall be no gratis PB weapons licence except for honors and awards.

6. Licences for non-prohibited bore (NPB) weapon: The Secretary, Interior Division shall be competent to issue licences for NPB weapons in respect o all Pakistan.

7. Eligibility for NPB weapon licence: (l) The following categories of persons shall be eligible for NPB weapon licence, namely:-

(a) officers and officials of the Federal Government subject to the following conditions, namely:-

(i) being filer and having their names borne on active tax payers list of FIBR with ceiling of not less than fifty thousand Rupees per annum;

(ii) prior to issuance of the licence, Police or Special Branch verification of their character and antecedents; and

(iii) covering letter from concerned department or Ministry in case of government servants; and

(b) citizens of Pakistan including Islamabad Capital Territory shall be eligible, subject to the following conditions, namely:-

(i) being filer and having their names borne on active tax payers list of the FBR with ceiling of not less than fifty thousand Rupees per annum; and

(ii) prior to issuance of the licence, Police or Special Branch verification of their character and antecedents.

(2) Each applicant shall be entitled upto two NPB weapon licences.

(3) There shall be no gratis NPB weapon licence except for honors and awards.

8. Licences for PB and NPB antique weapons: (l) Where a licence for PB or NPB weapon category is issued for an antique weapon, it shall be used only for decoration and display.

(2) Eligibility for licence of antique weapons shall be subject to the following conditions, namely:

(a) certificate from any dignitary (Army Chief and President etc.) that the weapon is a gift to person and certificate from any authorized dealer in case of Citizens of Pakistan including Islamabad Capital Territory; or

(b) being filer and having his name borne on active tax payers list of FBR with ceiling of not less than fifty thousand Rupees per annum.

(3) NADRA shall describe on the licence as “antique weapon licence”

9. Number of cartridges: Every licensee shall be entitled to possess at a time not more than five hundred cartridges on each licence of his PB and NPB weapon.

10. Issuance of licences to serving or retired army personnel: Arms licences for NPB private weapons for all ranks of Armed Forces of Pakistan shall be issued subject to 'Army Regulations (Instructions), 2000' but after the recommendation Defence Division.

Chapter — Ill

11. Issuance of licences to security companies: Security companies having valid no objection certificate (NOCs) issued by Ministry of Interior shall be entitled to make application for NPB licences to enable them to perform their functions. Number of such licences shall be determined as per the requirement in each case on the recommendation committee headed by Additional Secretary (Admn) of the Ministry of Interior and including concerned Inspector General of Police, representatives of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISD and Intelligence Bureau (1B).

12. Issuance of licenses to institutions or enterprises:- Following additional terms and conditions shall apply to arms licences issued to institutions or enterprises, namely:-

(a) the chief executive officer of the institution or enterprise as well as the head of administration or security by whatever designation called for shall be jointly and severally responsible for the proper custody and use of the weapons for which licenses are issued. The use shall be limited to the security of the lives of the functionaries and the premises and property of the institution or enterprise;

(b) without prejudice to the generality of the above condition, it shall be their duty to ensure that weapons are entrusted to personnel duly recruited for the purpose and of sound physical and mental health. Such individuals shall be employed following a proper process of recruitment and contract for their employment shall be executed. They shall be adequately compensated and the institution or enterprise shall ensure their welfare which shall at least be at par with that of the other employees of the institution or enterprise;

(c) a proper system of issuance of weapons to the employees Shall be adopted which shall provide for the time, duration and place of duty;

(d) the institution or enterprise shall issue its own identity cards to such security personnel, which shall be displayed by them; and

(e) in case of any improper use of the weapons procured against the licences issued to an institution or enterprise, in addition to any other action that may be taken under the law, licences shall be liable to immediate cancellation without any notice.

Chapter IV

13. Retainer-ship: (1) A maximum of one retainer-ship of the Weapons licences shall be granted on making therefore application. Only parents, siblings and spouse shall be eligible for retainership, subject to provision of authentic documents and undertaking and certificate that the person concerned is not involved in any criminal activity.

(2) Secretary Interior Division may allow retainership in arms licences.

14. Transfer of licence; (1) Transfer of licenses on inheritance basis may be permissible to one or more legal heirs of the deceased licence holder subject to consent of other heirs and provision of following authentic documents, namely;(a) application;

(b) death certificate;

(d) police character verification certificate

(e) succession certificate;

(f) family registration certificate (FRC) issued by NADRA; and (g) DC report

(2) Secretary Interior Division may allow the transfer of licence during the lifetime of licensee to one of his next of kin subject to the person's eligibility for grant of a licence of the same category,

(3)

Secretary Interior Division may allow the transfer, in case of death of licensee, to legal heir of licensee.

15. Issuance of duplicate licence and delivery letters: (l) Duplicate ofNPB and PB weapons licences lost, destroyed or damaged may be issued on provision of the following documents, namely:-

(a) affidavit in the specified form;

(b) copy of CNIC; (c) copy of police report duly countersigned by the sub-divisional police officer; (d) proof of renewal;

(e) proof of entry in the record of the concerned DC Office (for one year card);

(f) proof of entry in the record of the National Bank of Pakistan (for one year card),

(2) Secretary Interior Division may allow the issuance of duplicate arms licence subject to sub-rule (1)

16. Procedure for change of weapon: (l) In case, PB weapon becomes defective and beyond repair, the licensee may deposit or submit the defective weapon in the Malkhana of the respective district. Thereafter, the applicant shall submit receipt of deposit along-with application to the Secretary Interior Division for change of weapon.

In case, NPB weapon becomes defective and beyond repair, the licensee shall sell it to an authorized arms dealer or deposit the defective weapon in the Malkhana respective district. Thereafter, the applicant shall submit receipt of sale or deposit along-with application to the Secretary Interior Division for change of weapon. Following conditions shall apply for change of NPB weapon, namely:-

(a) Weapons should be at least seven years old;

(b) letter or receipt shall be provided from any authorized dealer that the subject weapon is out of order and cannot be repaired witli original stamp and signatures; and

(c) DC offices all over Pakistan shall provide lists of authorized dealers for verification of letter or receipt of the arms dealer. In •s regard, Provincial Home Departments shall be requested to provide lists of all authorized dealers registered with the respective Home Departments.

In case, PB or NPB weapon is lost or stolen, the applicant shall submit application

along-with affidavit and Police report whereupon the Secretary Interior Division shall allow change and replacement of weapon by endorsing necessary entry on the licence thereof.

17. Modification or correction in computerized arms licence: (l) Modification or correction of address or picture or police station or name only may be made as per CNIC subject to provision of following documents, namely:-

(a) application;

(b) attested copy of CNIC; and

(2) Secretary Interior Division may allow modification or correction in arms licences.

18. Fee structure: For initial grant of licence and its subsequent renewal, annual fees payable shall be as given in the Table below:---

Types of licences	Prohibited Bore (PB)			Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB)
Types of licences	Government Fee	NADRA Fee	Total Fee	Government Fee	NADRA Fee	Total Fee
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)	(7)
Issuance fee for new licence for 5 years	Rs. 7,500	Rs. 3,000	Rs. 10,500	Rs. 5,000	Rs. 1,500	Rs. 6,500
Renewal fee for 5 years	Rs. 5,000	Rs. 3,000	Rs. 8,000	Rs. 2,500	Rs. 1,500	Rs. 4,000
Duplicate licences fee	Rs. 1,000	Rs. 3,000	Rs. 4,000	Rs. 1,000	Rs. 1,500	Rs. 2,500
Transfer of licence fee in inheritance cases	Rs. 2,500	Rs. 3,000	Rs. 5,500	Rs. 2,500	Rs. 1,500	Rs. 4,000
Gratis licence fee	NIL	Rs. 3,000	Rs. 3,000	NIL	Rs. 1,500	Rs. 1,500

19. Renewal of licences: (l) Licence may be granted for a period not exceeding five years from the date of issuance.

(2) Licence may be renewed within a period of one month of its expiry hereinafter referred to as the grace period without the payment of late fee.

(3) After the expiry of the grace period but before the lapse of twelve months of the date of expiry of the licence, the licence may be renewed on payment of penalty of five hundred rupees for every month.

(4) Arms licences including gratis licences may be renewed for ten years from the date of renewal.

(5) The licence may be renewed after twelve months but before the lapse of two years of the date of expiry thereof under the orders of the Secretary Interior Division on the payment of penalty of one thousand Rupees per month, starting from the grace period.

(6) If a licence is not renewed within the period specified in sub-rule (5), the licence shall, on the expiry of the said period, stand cancelled.

20. Revalidation or computerization of manual licencee.- (l) An applicant for revalidation or computerization of manual licence, post year 2002, shall provide following documents, namely;-

(a) application;

(b) attested copy of CMC;

(d) original licence at the time of submitting application.

(2) Additional Secretary (Admn) Interior Division may allow revalidation or computerization of manual licence.

(3) After approval from Additional Secretary (Admn), Interior Division, the applicant shall approach NADRA for further processing.

Chapter- V

21. Cancellation of arms licence: (1) For cancellation of licence, the applicant shall provide following documents, namely:-

(a) application;

(b) attested copy of CNIC;

(d) original licence.

(2) Secretary Interior Division may also cancel licence on orders f court.

(3) After preliminary permission by Secretary Interior Division for cancellation of licence, the applicant shall deposit his PB or NPB weapon in the Malkhana of concerned district. Receipt of deposit shall be submitted to Secretary Interior Division for final approval in respect of cancellation of the licence.

220 Disqualification: The following categories of persons shall not be eligible for acquiring any kind of licence, namely:-

(a) person convicted of any offence of moral turpitude;

(b) person whose name has been put in Fourth Schedule to the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 (XXVII of 1997);

23. Disposal of obsolete weapons: The disposal of obsolete weapons shall be made in the following manners, namely:-

(a) DC shall establish and maintain a strong room in the district for the purpose of safe custody of illegal arms confiscated by the law enforcement agencies, or those retrieved or returned after cancellation of licences and vintage weapons;

(b) a stock register for strong room, specifying details o all arms, including make, model and identification number as well as the date and mode of its receiving, along with the photographs, shall be maintained at all times;

(c) an open and public auction shall be conducted of the arms, as mentioned in clause (b), at least once a year, and a register of all transactions carried out in such auctions shall be maintained, in a manner prescribed by the Government by notification in official Gazette;

(d) the NADRA shall develop and deploy software in ach DC office for recording the details as mentioned in clause (b); and in the absence of strong rooms in the districts, the arms returned or confiscated may be deposited in the concerned police station or the district Malkhana, temporarily.

24. Purchase of weapon by licensee: A person having NPB or PB weapon licence may:

(a) purchase a weapon from Pakistan Ordinance Factory Wah or any other authorized arms manufacturer or authorized arms dealet having valid licence for manufacturing or selling of arms; or

(b) import NPB weapon either himself or through an authorized arms dealer as per import policy order and for this purpose the authenticity of the licence shall be verified by the respective licence issuing authority and conveyed to Secretary Interior Division for issuance of no objection certificate before issuance of import permit by Ministry of Commerce.

Chapter — VI

25, Validity of arms licence on all Pakistan basis. Only the Secretary Interior Division may extend the validity of arms licence issued on all Pakistan basis. Following documents shall be required for extending the validity of arms licence on all Pakistan basis, namely:-

(a) application of the licensee along-with covering letter of the licence issuing authority that the licence is authentic and genuine;

(b) attested copy of CNIC of the licensee; and

26. Increase of cartridges of PB and NPB weapon. (1) Following documents are required for increase of cartridges of PB and NPB weapons licences, namely:-

(a) application with solid reason;

(b) attested copy of CNIC of the licensee; and

(2) Secretary Interior Division may allow the increase of cartridges of PB and NPB weapons licences.

27. Extension in purchase time for purchase of weapon and entry in DC office: (1)

Extension in purchase time for purchase of weapon and entry in DC office may be allowed only for booklets, post year 2002, that have been issued by Interior Division. Following documents are required for extension in purchase time for purchase of weapons beyond the permissible limit, namely;-

(a) application of the licensee;

(b) attested copy of CNIC of the lincencee; and

Secretary Interior Division may allow the extension in purchase time for purchase

of weapon and entry in DC office of the licences.

28. Data base: (l) NADRA shall prepare database of arms licences issued within the Federal jurisdiction.

(2). All databases shall be merged into one databank, which shall be hosted by NADRA.

29. Ban on processing of cases by professional agents or intermediaries: Processing of cases for the issuance of arms licenses through professional agents or intermediaries is prohibited and such professional agents or intermediaries shall be proceeded against under the law,

30.

Periodic audit: Periodic audit of all cases of arms licences shall be conducted to ascertain that licences have been issued on valid authority and that the prescribed licence fee including fee for renewal or issuance of duplicate licences or extension of licences on all

Khurshid Ahmed)

Deputy Secretary (Admn) Ph: 051-9201213

The Manager,

Printing Corporation of Pakistan Press,

Karachi

Pakistan Arms Ordinance, 1965