ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued notices to the Attorney General and Advocate General, directing them to obtain a report from the provincial interior secretary and Inspectors General (IGs) within one month concerning the issuance of prohibited arms.
This directive stems from a case involving stolen arms, discovered during the court’s consideration of a bail plea from an accused in an arms theft incident. The court learned about the issuance of a prohibited license during the proceedings.
Expressing dissatisfaction, the Supreme Court was informed that the owner of the prohibited arms had not been investigated for the license. The court questioned the authority to issue such licenses, particularly noting that a DIG in Mardan had issued the license.
The court sought clarification on whether a DIG has the authority to issue licenses for prohibited arms and who holds the authority to do so.
Displeased with the situation, the court referred the matter to a committee for review to determine whether it falls under the purview of Article 184(3). In a related development on January 17th, the Supreme Court previously summoned details of licenses issued for prohibited bore weapons while hearing a case related to stolen arms. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa remarked on the need for Pakistan to eliminate the “Kalashnikov culture.”
The court issued notices to the Secretary of Interior, provincial secretaries, Police IGs, the Attorney General, and Advocate Generals. Chief Justice Isa expressed concern that the police had not inquired about the arms license from the owner during the arms theft investigation, despite the owner confessing to the crime. The theft involved two Kalashnikovs, two Kalakovs, a pistol, and other valuable items.
