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Arms licence issuance system to go digital
December 23, 2013
JAVED IQBAL
LAHORE - The Punjab government is all set to automate the outdated arms license issuance and renewal system in a bid to counter corruption and pilferage, and to enhance revenue of the department.
According to sources, rampant irregularities in the Home Department have prompted the provincial government to launch a new system, with a minimum chance of embezzlement. In one such instance, a senior officer had reportedly misappropriated over Rs20 million.
Sources in the Home Department say the decades-old manual system will be repealed when a new system goes functional in March next year. Under the new system, all the data about issuance and renewal of licenses, ammunition dealers, bullets, etc would be digitalized.
As of now, the provincial government is weighing the various options and there is the likelihood of the task of issuance of licenses being outsourced to National Database and Registration Authority, Wateen, Ufone or other companies.
Another important feature of the new system is that NADRA, forensic labs, banks and arm dealers will also be hooked up to the department.
According to an informative source, about 1.7 million licenses have been issued in Punjab, excluding four districts that did not submit their minutiae. With these districts included, he estimates this figure may stand near 1.9million. He further says the amount to be deposited to the Finance Department under the head of license issuance fee has to be over Rs2 billion this time around. But, he adds, the accounts showed that a small amount of money has been deposited to the public kitty. He alleges that a mafia in connivance with Pakistan Post, arm dealers, smugglers, manufacturers and importers embezzled billions of rupees and is still operating with impunity. This mafia used to print fake tickets and stamps. Talking about new measures, a senior official says the government wants to fix the license fee that will be deposited through the bank after verification from NADRA, and the firm executing this job will be getting up to 30 per cent commission.
Sources say a computerised card will be given to a weapon holder registered with NADRA, Punjab Police, Home Department, scheduled banks etc that may be checked across the province even at police pickets. They say a policy in this regard has been finalized and the government wants to outsource the task of license issuing to a company of international acclaim. About license fee, he said the government will pay the least and the rate of license fee will not be increased. He says the Home Department will not have to hire staff, get buildings, furniture on rent or purchase computers.
About new arms policy in the province, he says license renewal fee will remain Rs1000, while new personal license fee will be Rs5000 and arm license fee for organizations Rs7000. He says the new computerized system would prove a milestone towards regulating arms and ammunition industry and bringing a good name to the Punjab government.
Arms licence issuance system to go digital
December 23, 2013
JAVED IQBAL
LAHORE - The Punjab government is all set to automate the outdated arms license issuance and renewal system in a bid to counter corruption and pilferage, and to enhance revenue of the department.
According to sources, rampant irregularities in the Home Department have prompted the provincial government to launch a new system, with a minimum chance of embezzlement. In one such instance, a senior officer had reportedly misappropriated over Rs20 million.
Sources in the Home Department say the decades-old manual system will be repealed when a new system goes functional in March next year. Under the new system, all the data about issuance and renewal of licenses, ammunition dealers, bullets, etc would be digitalized.
As of now, the provincial government is weighing the various options and there is the likelihood of the task of issuance of licenses being outsourced to National Database and Registration Authority, Wateen, Ufone or other companies.
Another important feature of the new system is that NADRA, forensic labs, banks and arm dealers will also be hooked up to the department.
According to an informative source, about 1.7 million licenses have been issued in Punjab, excluding four districts that did not submit their minutiae. With these districts included, he estimates this figure may stand near 1.9million. He further says the amount to be deposited to the Finance Department under the head of license issuance fee has to be over Rs2 billion this time around. But, he adds, the accounts showed that a small amount of money has been deposited to the public kitty. He alleges that a mafia in connivance with Pakistan Post, arm dealers, smugglers, manufacturers and importers embezzled billions of rupees and is still operating with impunity. This mafia used to print fake tickets and stamps. Talking about new measures, a senior official says the government wants to fix the license fee that will be deposited through the bank after verification from NADRA, and the firm executing this job will be getting up to 30 per cent commission.
Sources say a computerised card will be given to a weapon holder registered with NADRA, Punjab Police, Home Department, scheduled banks etc that may be checked across the province even at police pickets. They say a policy in this regard has been finalized and the government wants to outsource the task of license issuing to a company of international acclaim. About license fee, he said the government will pay the least and the rate of license fee will not be increased. He says the Home Department will not have to hire staff, get buildings, furniture on rent or purchase computers.
About new arms policy in the province, he says license renewal fee will remain Rs1000, while new personal license fee will be Rs5000 and arm license fee for organizations Rs7000. He says the new computerized system would prove a milestone towards regulating arms and ammunition industry and bringing a good name to the Punjab government.
Arms licence issuance system to go digital
