LAHORE: The Punjab caretaker cabinet has officially approved a substantial increase in fees for both individual and commercial firearm licenses. The approved hike could result in fees rising by up to 2,000%, making it the most significant increase in arms license fees in the history of any province in Pakistan.
The decision aims to regulate the possession of firearms and generate additional revenue for the province. However, the substantial increase has sparked debate and raised concerns about the affordability and accessibility of firearms licenses for individuals and businesses in Punjab.
The amendments to Schedule One of Punjab Arms Rules 2023, approved by the provincial cabinet, will have significant implications for individuals and businesses seeking to obtain or renew firearm licenses for personal protection or hunting purposes.
The fee for new applicants, previously set at Rs. 10,000, has been increased to Rs. 50,000. Existing license holders will now have to pay Rs. 5,000 for renewing their license, up from the previous fee of Rs. 1,000.
The increase in fees extends beyond individual licenses alone. The fee for acquiring an “All Pakistan” license from Punjab’s Interior Department has surged by a staggering 2,000%, skyrocketing from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 100,000.
Private institutions and security companies will also face a considerable fee hike, as their charges have been elevated from Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 50,000.
Additionally, acquiring a duplicate arms license will now cost Rs. 5,000, compared to the earlier fee of Rs. 1,000.
Furthermore, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has revised the processing fee for arms licenses, increasing it from Rs. 1,400 to Rs. 2,000.
To make the application process more efficient, the Punjab Interior Department plans to introduce online applications for arms licenses in collaboration with NADRA. However, the authorities will require applicants availing of this facility to pay a registration fee of Rs. 1,200.
The fee hikes are not limited to individual licenses only; arms dealers, manufacturers, gunsmiths, and companies will also face substantial increases. For example, the fee for a new arms dealership license has surged from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 2 million.
