The interim Punjab government has sanctioned an astonishing 2,000% raise in fees for issuing and renewing individual and commercial firearm licenses.
The monumental single-time increase is the steepest surge in any province’s history regarding arms license fees.
They are following the cabinet’s approval of amendments to Schedule One of the Punjab Arms Rules 2023; those seeking licenses for personal protection or hunting arms will be required to shell out Rs50,000 instead of the earlier Rs10,000. Similarly, current license holders must pay Rs5,000, instead of the previous Rs1,000, to renew their registration.
Sharp Increase in Various Licensing Fees and Potential Repercussions
The Punjab Interior Department has raised the “All Pakistan” license fee by 2,000%, making it Rs100,000 up from Rs5,000. The cost for private institutions and security firms to acquire a license has increased from Rs7,000 to Rs50,000, while the NADRA processing charge for arms licenses has increased from Rs1,400 to Rs2,000. Likewise, the cost to procure a duplicate firearms license has risen from Rs1,000 to Rs5,000.
In collaboration with NADRA, the Punjab Interior Department will commence accepting online applications for firearms licenses. The interim cabinet has approved an Rs1,200 registration fee for these online applications. Moreover, the interim cabinet sanctioned a twofold increase in fees for arms dealers, manufacturers, gunsmiths, and businesses, pushing the new license fee from Rs100,000 to Rs2,000,000.
This unprecedented fee surge has sparked serious concern among public and business circles, stirring fears of a surge in illegal arms possession and illicit arms trading. The prohibitive fee hike is predicted to dissuade the legal possession of firearms for self-defence and hunting, further aggravating the situation.
