Punjab govt and NADRA signs MoU for computerization of arms licenses

Lahore: A memorandum of understanding was signed between Punjab government and National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for computerization of arms licenses in Punjab.

Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Federal Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan were the chief guests at the ceremony held at Model Town today.

Secretary Home Punjab Maj. (Retd.) Azam Suleman and acting Chairman NADRA Shahid Hamid, signed the document. Under the agreement, the existing system of issuance of arms licenses in Punjab would be changed and a consolidated and comprehensive computerized arms license information management system would be evolved and all old licenses would be replaced with new computerized chip cards under a phased programme.The project would be completed within 140 days.

Addressing the ceremony, Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif welcomed the agreement between Punjab government and NADRA for evolving computerized arms license information management system. He said that the project of computerization of arms licenses in Punjab is a milestone towards setting up a peaceful society. He thanked Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan and NADRA authorities for extending fullest cooperation for the computerization of entire system of issuing arms licenses.

He said that there is a need for purging the society of weapons for providing a peaceful and violence-free atmosphere to the citizens. He said that the decision of computerization of arms licenses is an important and revolutionary step in this direction. He said that after computerization, the chip card of every license would be linked with arms manufacturers, arms sellers and arms repairers through a database.

The Chief Minister said that under the agreement, a computerized system of issuance of licenses would be evolved in all districts of the province. A centre of the system would also be established in the building of Interior Ministry which would be in contact with the Special Branch and DPOs across the province. The project is being started initially in five districts of Punjab.

Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab government has been in the forefront in the use of IT in every sector of life. He said that land record computerization, use of smart cameras and information technology in the campaign against dengue and also on religious and national festivals are examples of this fact. He said that arms licenses were issued recklessly in the past and even licenses were issued for such weapons which were of prohibited bore. He said that the issuance of computerized arms licenses is a revolutionary step towards curbing of illegal weapons and improvement of law and order.

He said that NADRA and Punjab government would work as a team for this purpose. Offering NADRA the data available with Punjab government under land record information management system for the project of issuing computerized arms licenses, Shahbaz Sharif said that NADRA can benefit from land record information management system which would substantially reduce the cost on the project as well as help its early completion.

He said that computerized arms licenses project would be implemented speedily and a vigorous awareness campaign would also be launched in this regard.

 Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan, while addressing the ceremony said that signing of the MoU between NADRA and Punjab government regarding computerized arms licenses is an important step and Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has a glorious track record regarding execution of projects within timeline.

Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Col. (Retd.) Shuja Khanzada, Chairperson Standing Committee on Interior Makhdoom Syed Masood Alam, Parliamentary Secretary Mehr Ijaz Ahmed, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning & Development, Inspector General Police, senior officers of Punjab government and NADRA authorities were also present on the occasion.