Draft SOP for issuance of Prohibited/Non-Prohibited Arms Licences,

2012
Objectives

After the 18th amendment in the Constitution of Pakistan, work relating to issuance of arms
licences has been devolved to the provinces. In order to meet the requirements for issuance of arms
licences within the jurisdiction of ICT, AJ&K & Gilgit-Baltistan, the following SOP has been formulated.

Classification of Weapons

2.

Weapons for which licences are permissible have been categorized as Prohibited Bore (PB) and

Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB), detail of which are as under:

a.

NPB Weapons

i.

Shot gun Non-automatic or Semi-Automatic including Pump-action

ii.

Revolver or Pistol other than Prohibited Bore

iii.

Rifle other than Prohibited Bore

iv.

Sword

b.

PB Weapons

i.

Revolver or Pistol over .46 inches bore

ii.

Rifle 303 and all automatic/semi-automatic Rifles

iii.

Rifle G-III

iv.

Stengun

v.

Carbine

This list is not exhaustive and Notifications in this regard issued from time to time may be referred from a
complete list.

-2Licences for PB Weapons

3.

In order to keep the issuance of PB licences to a minimum, strict criterion has been devised.

Authority to issue licences for PB weapons would be the Prime Minister/Minister for Interior.

Licences for NPB Weapons

4.

Licences for NPB weapons would be issued with the approval of the Minister for Interior/Secretary

Interior or officers authorized by the authority

5.

Licences would be issued after verification of the antecedents of the applicant through local police

unless specifically exempted by Minister Interior/Secretary Interior. This shall not be applicable to licences
issued on Prime Ministers Directives or to Government servants.

6.

Licences issued by the Ministry of Interior would be valid for the whole of Pakistan.

Number of Cartridges

7.

Five hundred (500) cartridges shall be allowed on each licence of PB and NPB.

Gratis Licences

8. (i) Eligible Categories.

Recipients of Civil/Military awards.

-3-

Weapon gifted by the President/Services Chiefs to the retiring General Officers.

Persons entitled under Schedule-I of Arms Rules, 1924

(ii)

Serving and retired gazetted officers of the Federal Government would be entitled to one NPB

licence on gratis basis. Regular employees of the Ministry of Interior will also be entitled to one NPB arms
licence on gratis basis.

Issuance of Gratis Private Licences to Serving / Retired Army Personnel

9.

Authorization of licences against fee and gratis arms licences for NPB private weapons for

all ranks of Pakistan Army is regulated under Army Regulations (Instructions), 2000 (clauses 475 to 494).
Relevant provisions are as under:

a.

Serving Army Personnel. As per Army Rules (Instruction) 490, serving officers, junior

commissioned officer and soldiers are authorized to apply for arms licence for NPB private arms as under:-

i.

Officers:May apply for fee paying licence for revolver or pistol.

ii.

Junior Commissioned Officers:

Are authorized to hold 1x pistol / 1x revolver / 7 mm on gratis

arms licence.
iii.

Soldiers:

Are authorized to hold 1x pistol / 1x revolver / Shot Gun on gratis arm licence.

b.

Retired Army Personnel: As per Army Rules (I) 475 and 493 f & g:

i.

Retired officers are authorized gratis arms licence for NPB Arms (1x pistol and 1x revolver or 2 x

pistols or 2 x revolvers).

-4-

ii.

Retired Junior Commissioned officers are authorized gratis arms licence for NPB Arms

pistol or 1x revolver / 7mm).

(1x

c.

Gift to General Officers on Retirement: As per Army Rules (I) 493 a, all retiring general officers will

be issued with gratis arms licence for the gifted weapon.

d.

Issuance of Gratis Arms Licence to Awardee Officers / JCOs / Soldiers:

In accordance with the latest policy all recipients of military awards are authorized to possess
gratis arms licences of following weapons:

Type of Awards

Entitlement on Gratis Arms Licence

NH, NI (M), HJ, HI (M), SJ, SI (M) and S.Bt

TI (M)

b.

One Rifle of NPB

c.

One .22 bore Rifle

d.

Two Shot Guns

a.

One Pistol or Revolver of NPB

b.

One Shot Gun of NPB

c.

One .22 bore Rifle

TJ and T. Bt
b.
Imitazi Sanad

a.

a.

One Pistol or Revolver of NPB

One Pistol or Revolver of NPB

One Shot Guns

One Shot Gun of NPB

Issuance of Licences to Security Companies

10.

Security companies having valid NOCs may be issued NPB licences to enable them to perform

their functions. Number of such licences will be determined as per the requirement in each case on the
recommendation of a Committee headed by Addl. Secretary-I and including concerned Inspector General
of Police and representatives of ISI and IB.

-5-

Issuance of licences to Institutions / Enterprises

11.

Following additional terms and conditions shall apply to arms licences issued to institutions /

enterprises:

a.

The Chief Executive of the institution/enterprise as well as the Head of Administration/Security

whatever be his designation shall be jointly and severally responsible for the proper custody and use of the
weapons for which licences are issued. The use shall be limited to the security of the lives of the
functionaries and the premises and property of the institution/enterprise.

b.

Without prejudice to the generality of the above condition, it shall be their duty to ensure that

weapons are entrusted to personnel duly recruited for the purpose and of sound physical and mental
health. Such individuals shall be employed following a proper process of recruitment and contract for their
employment shall be executed. They shall be adequately compensated and the institution/enterprise shall
ensure their welfare which shall at least be at par with that of the other employees of the
institution/enterprise.

c.

A proper system of issuance of weapons to the employees shall be adopted which shall provide for

the time, duration and place of duty.

d.

The institution/enterprise shall issue its own identity cards to such security personnel, which shall

be displayed by them.

e.

In case of any improper use of the weapons procured against the licences issued to an

institution/enterprise, in addition to any other action entailed under the law, licences shall be liable to
immediate cancellation without any notice.

-6-

Retainer-ship

12.

A maximum of two retainer-ships of the arms licences will be granted on application. Only father,

brother spouse, son and daughter will be eligible, subject to provision of authentic documents/affidavit
certifying that the person concerned is not involved in any criminal activity.

Transfer of Licence on Inheritance Basis

13.

Transfer of licences on inheritance basis will be permissible to one or more legal heirs of the

deceased licence holder subject to acquiescence of others.

Issuance of Duplicate Arms Licences

14.

Duplicate of NPB/PB arms licences lost, destroyed or damaged would be issued on presentation

of the following documents:

a.

Affidavit in the specified form

b.

Copy of CNIC

c.

Copy of Police Report duly countersigned by the Sub Divisional Police Officer.

d.

Proof of renewal

e.

Proof of entry in the record of the concerned DC/DCO.

-7-

Fee Structure

15.

Fees payable for initial grant of licence and its subsequent renewal shall be the following:

Types of Licences
Govt. Fee

Prohibited Bore Non Prohibited Bore

NADRA Fee

Total Fee

Issuance Fee for New Arms Licence for 5 Years

Rs.5,000

Rs.1,500

Govt. Fee

Rs.7,500

Rs.6,500

NADRA Fee

Rs. 3000

Total Fee

Rs. 10,500

Renewal Fee for 5 Years Rs.5,000

Rs.3,000

Rs.8,000

Rs.2,500

Rs.1,500

Rs.4,000
Duplicate Fee

Rs.1,000

Rs.3,000

Rs.4,000

Rs.1,000

Rs.1,500

Transfer Fee in Inheritance cases Rs.2,500

Rs.3,000

Rs.5,500

Rs.2,500

Rs.3,000

Nil

Rs.2,500

Rs.1,500
Gratis Licence Fee

Rs.4,000
Nil

Rs.3,000

Rs.1,500

Rs.1500

16.

Renewal of Licences

a)

Licence would be granted for a period of five years ending on 31st December.

b)

Licence may be renewed within a period of one month of its expiry (that is by 31st January)

hereinafter referred to as the grace period without the payment of any late fee.

c)

After the expiry of the grace period but before the lapse of twelve months of the date of expiry of

the licence (that is by 31st December), licence may be renewed on payment of penalty of Rs.100/- for
every month or part of the month that intervenes between the expiry of the grace period and the date of
renewal of the licence.

d)

The licence may be renewed after twelve months but before the lapse of two years of the date of

expiry thereof on the payment of double the penal charge i.e. Rs.200/- per month.

-8-

e)

Gratis arms Licences will be renewed for five years.

f)

If a licence is not renewed within the period specified in clause (e), the licence shall, on the expiry

of the said period, stand cancelled.

Disqualification

17.

The following categories of persons are debarred from acquiring any kind of arms licence:

a.

All convicted persons except those convicted for minor offences or traffic violations.

b.

Persons found guilty of possessing more than one CNIC or passport.

c.

Insane persons

d.

Minors

Provision of PB Weapons to the Licensees

18.

Except for Pakistan Ordinance Factory Wah, no other business entrepreneur in the

country is legally authorized to manufacture / sell PB weapons. Therefore, many of the PB licences holders
resort to the unauthorized practice of getting PB weapon in the form of gift from tribal people / authorities.
Ministry of Commerce and Trade may take necessary steps to ensure provision of prescribed PB weapons
to the licensees.

-919.

For the maintenance of a data bank regarding the licensees and weapons, NADRA has

been tasked to make computerized arms licences (CALs). As per the SOP in this regard, NADRA will issue
Weapon Authorization Form Demand Note after approval of the competent authority and subsequently
CAL to the applicant.
20.

Police verification before issuance of arms licence is mandatory, except for gazetted

officers of the Government/Parliamentarians.

21.

Processing of cases for the issuance of arms licences through professional

agents/intermediaries is prohibited and such professional agents/intermediaries shall be proceeded against

under the law.

22.

All cases pending in the Ministry of Interior have been transferred to NADRA for making

CALs. NADRA has started producing CALs w.e.f. 1st January, 2011.

23.

Periodic audit of all cases of arms licences shall be conducted to ascertain that licences have been

issued on valid authority and the prescribed licence fee including fee for renewal/issuance of duplicate
licences/extension of licences to all Pakistan has been credited into the relevant head of Government
account.
24.

NADRA will prepare Procedure for monitoring of ammunition issued to licensees and for

cases of amendments in particulars of licensees.

********
GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN
MINISTRY OF INTERIOR
****

Procedure for issuance of Prohibited/

Non-Prohibited Arms Licences, 2012

Classification of Weapons

Weapons for which licences are permissible have been categorized as Prohibited Bore (PB) and
Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB), detail of which are as under:

a. NPB Weapons

i)

Shot gun Non-automatic or Semi-Automatic including Pump-action

ii)

Revolver or Pistol other than Prohibited Bore

iii)

Rifle other than Prohibited Bore

iv)

Sword

b. PB Weapons

i)

Revolver or Pistol over .46 inches bore

ii)

Rifle 303 and all automatic/semi-automatic Rifles

iii)

Rifle G-III

iv)

Stengun

v)

Carbine

This list is not exhaustive and Notifications in this regard issued from time to time may be referred from a
complete list.

Number of Cartridges

2.

Five hundred (500) cartridges shall be allowed on each licence of PB and NPB.

-2Gratis Licences

3. (i) Eligible Categories.

Recipients of Civil/Military awards.

Weapon gifted by the President/Services Chiefs to the retiring General Officers.

Persons entitled under Schedule-I of Arms Rules, 1924

(ii)

Serving and retired gazetted officers of the Federal Government would be entitled to one NPB

licence on gratis basis. Regular employees of the Ministry of Interior will also be entitled to one NPB arms
licence on gratis basis.

Issuance of Gratis Private Licences to Serving / Retired Army Personnel

4.

Authorization of licences against fee and gratis arms licences for NPB private weapons for

all ranks of Pakistan Army is regulated under Army Regulations (Instructions), 2000 (clauses 475 to 494).
Relevant provisions are as under:

a.

Serving Army Personnel. As per Army Rules (Instruction) 490, serving officers, junior

commissioned officer and soldiers are authorized to apply for arms licence for NPB private arms as under:-

i)

Officers:May apply for fee paying licence for revolver or pistol.

ii)

Junior Commissioned Officers:

Are authorized to hold 1x pistol / 1x revolver / 7 mm on gratis

arms licence.

iii)

Soldiers:

Are authorized to hold 1x pistol / 1x revolver / Shot Gun on gratis arm licence.

-3-

b.

Retired Army Personnel: As per Army Rules (I) 475 and 493 f & g:

i.

Retired officers are authorized gratis arms licence for NPB Arms (1x pistol and 1x revolver or 2 x

pistols or 2 x revolvers).

ii.

Retired Junior Commissioned officers are authorized gratis arms licence for NPB Arms

(1x

pistol or 1x revolver / 7mm).

c.

Gift to General Officers on Retirement: As per Army Rules (I) 493 a, all retiring general officers will

be issued with gratis arms licence for the gifted weapon.

d.

Issuance of Gratis Arms Licence to Awardee Officers / JCOs / Soldiers:

In accordance with the latest policy all recipients of military awards are authorized to possess
gratis arms licences of following weapons:

Type of Awards

Entitlement on Gratis Arms Licence

NH, NI (M), HJ, HI (M), SJ, SI (M) and S Bt

TI (M)

b.

One Rifle of NPB

c.

One .22 bore Rifle

d.

Two Shot Guns

a.

One Pistol or Revolver of NPB

b.

One Shot Gun of NPB

c.

One .22 bore Rifle

TJ and T. Bt
b.
Imitazi Sanad

a.

a.

One Pistol or Revolver of NPB

One Pistol or Revolver of NPB

One Shot Guns

One Shot Gun of NPB

Issuance of Licences to Security Companies

5.

Security companies having valid NOCs may be issued NPB licences to enable them to perform

their functions. Number of such

-4licences will be determined as per the requirement in each case on the recommendation of a Committee
headed by Addl. Secretary-I and including concerned Inspector General of Police and representatives of ISI
and IB.
Issuance of licences to Institutions / Enterprises

6.

Following additional terms and conditions shall apply to arms licences issued to institutions /

enterprises:

a.

The Chief Executive of the institution/enterprise as well as the Head of Administration/Security

whatever be his designation shall be jointly and severally responsible for the proper custody and use of the
weapons for which licences are issued. The use shall be limited to the security of the lives of the
functionaries and the premises and property of the institution/enterprise.

b.

Without prejudice to the generality of the above condition, it shall be their duty to ensure that

weapons are entrusted to personnel duly recruited for the purpose and of sound physical and mental
health. Such individuals shall be employed following a proper process of recruitment and contract for their
employment shall be executed. They shall be adequately compensated and the institution/enterprise shall
ensure their welfare which shall at least be at par with that of the other employees of the
institution/enterprise.

c.

A proper system of issuance of weapons to the employees shall be adopted which shall provide for

the time, duration and place of duty.

e.

The institution/enterprise shall issue its own identity cards to such security personnel, which shall

be displayed by them.

f.

In case of any improper use of the weapons procured against the licences issued to an institution/

enterprise, in addition to any other action entailed under the law, licences shall be liable to immediate
cancellation without any notice.
-5Retainer-ship

7.

A maximum of two retainer-ships of the arms licences will be granted on application. Only father,

brother spouse, son and daughter will be eligible, subject to provision of authentic documents/affidavit
certifying that the person concerned is not involved in any criminal activity.

Transfer of Licence on Inheritance Basis

8.

Transfer of licences on inheritance basis will be permissible to one or more legal heirs of the

deceased licence holder subject to acquiescence of others.

Issuance of Duplicate Arms Licences

9.

Duplicate of NPB/PB arms licences lost, destroyed or damaged would be issued on presentation

of the following documents:

a.
b.
c.

Affidavit in the specified form

Copy of CNIC
Copy of Police Report duly countersigned by the Sub

Divisional Police Officer.

d.

Proof of renewal

e.

Proof of entry in the record of the concerned DC/DCO.

-6Fee Structure

10.

Fees payable for initial grant of licence and its subsequent renewal shall be the following:

Types of Licences
Govt. Fee

Prohibited Bore Non Prohibited Bore

NADRA Fee

Total Fee

Issuance Fee for New Arms Licence for 5 Years

Rs.5,000

Govt. Fee

Rs.7,500

Rs.1,500

Rs.6,500

Renewal Fee for 5 Years Rs.5,000

Rs.3,000

NADRA Fee

Rs. 3000

Rs.8,000

Total Fee

Rs. 10,500

Rs.2,500

Rs.1,500

Rs.4,000
Duplicate Fee

Rs.1,000

Rs.2,500

Rs.3,000

Rs.4,000

Rs.1,000

Rs.1,500

Transfer Fee in Inheritance cases Rs.2,500

Rs.1,500
Gratis Licence Fee

Rs.3,000

Rs.5,500

Rs.3,000

Nil

Rs.2,500

Rs.4,000
Nil

Rs.3,000

Rs.1,500

Rs.1500

11.

Renewal of Licences

a)

Licence would be granted for a period of five years ending on 31st December.

b)

Licence may be renewed within a period of one month of its expiry (that is by 31st January)

hereinafter referred to as the grace period without the payment of any late fee.

c)

After the expiry of the grace period but before the lapse of twelve months of the date of expiry of

the licence (that is by 31st December), licence may be renewed on payment of penalty of Rs.100/- for
every month or part of the month that intervenes between the expiry of the grace period and the date of
renewal of the licence.

d)

The licence may be renewed after twelve months but before the lapse of two years of the date of

expiry thereof on the payment of double the penal charge i.e. Rs.200/- per month.

-7-

e)

Gratis arms Licences will be renewed for five years.

f)

If a licence is not renewed within the period specified in clause (e), the licence shall, on the expiry

of the said period, stand cancelled.

Disqualification

12.

The following categories of persons are debarred from acquiring any kind of arms licence:

e.

All convicted persons except those convicted for minor offences or traffic violations.

f.

Persons found guilty of possessing more than one CNIC or passport.

g.

Insane persons

h.

Minors

Provision of PB Weapons to the Licensees

13

Except for Pakistan Ordinance Factory Wah, no other business entrepreneur in the

country is legally authorized to manufacture / sell PB weapons. Therefore, many of the PB licences holders
resort to the unauthorized practice of getting PB weapon in the form of gift from tribal people / authorities.
Ministry of Commerce and Trade may take necessary steps to ensure provision of prescribed PB weapons
to the licensees.

-814.

For the maintenance of a data bank regarding the licensees and weapons, NADRA has

been tasked to make computerized arms licences (CALs). As per the SOP in this regard, NADRA will issue
Weapon Authorization Form Demand Note after approval of the competent authority and subsequently
CAL to the applicant.
15.

Police verification before issuance of arms licence is mandatory, except for gazetted

officers of the Government/ Parliamentarians.

16.

Processing of cases for the issuance of arms licences through professional

agents/intermediaries is prohibited and such professional agents/intermediaries shall be proceeded against

under the law.

17.

All cases pending in the Ministry of Interior have been transferred to NADRA for making

CALs. NADRA has started producing CALs w.e.f. 1st January, 2011.

18.

Periodic audit of all cases of arms licences shall be conducted to ascertain that licences have been

issued on valid authority and the prescribed licence fee including fee for renewal/issuance of duplicate
licences/extension of licences to all Pakistan has been credited into the relevant head of Government
account.
19.

NADRA will prepare Procedure for monitoring of ammunition issued to licensees and for cases of

amendments in particulars of licensees.

Arms Licences Transfer / Inheritance

SNo.

Documents required

Application to Section Officer (Arms)

Photocopy of CNIC of deceased person and applicant

Death Certificate

CNIC of all family members

Consent of all family members on affidavit attested by the Notri public

Certificate of DCO concerned that the licence has been registered in his
office vide No. and dated

Certificate of National Bank of Pakistan that the licence has renewed

upto .. (year/s)

Original arms licence booklet/card

ISSUANCE/RENEW OF LICENSES.
1. Issuance of Licenses.

A. Fresh License
Only one weapon as per Positive List (Annex-A), provided no licence is already held.
Eligible Categories.
1. Income Taxi Agriculture Tax payers.
2. Officers of Armed Forces/Civil Officers of BPS-I? and above.
3. Foreign Diplomats (on the recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
4. Registered Security Companies.
5. Professionals including Doctors, Engineers and Lawyers.
6. Any other Organization/group/individual with the approval of Minister for Interior.
7. All Pakistan licences to be issued by Ministry of Interior only.
8. Maximum quota of 40 licences per month for Karachi and Lahore Districts, 30 for
Hyderabad, Sukkur, Multan, Faisalabad, Peshawar Districts -and 20 per month for other
Districts.
9. All new arms licences to be approved by Home Secretary on recommendation of DCO s
concerned.
B. Gratis Arms Licenses
Eligible Categories.
1. Recipients of Civil, Military awards.
2. Weapon gifted by the President/Services Chiefs to the
3. Retiring General Officers.
4. Persons entitled under Schedule-I ofAni1s Rules, 1924.
C. Issuance on Inheritance Basis.

On demise of licencee, his legal heirs can nominate one of the family members to inherit the
weapon for which the death certificate of licencee and an affidavit from the family member
nominating him for issuance of .licence on inheritance basis is required.
D. Duplicate License
In case of loss or damage of the licence booklet, duplicate copy is issued by the issuing
authority after obtaining following documents in support :1. Copy of the FIR/Police Report.
2. Bank Certificate indicating renewal record.
3. Entry record of licence/weapon being maintained by DCO concerned.
2. Renewal of Licenses.
a. Validity of License:
1st January to 31st December with a grace period of one month for renewal.
b. Renewal and Penalties:
After the expiry of grace period but before the lapse of three months licence is renewed by
the concerned National Balik of Pakistan by imposing fine at the rate of Rs. 5/- per month:
On the lapse of six months, the licence is renewed by licincing authority on payment of four
times the renewal fee.

The Licenses for prohibited bore weapons issued during the

period 1-12-1988 to 20-8-1990 have been canceled except
following:1.Parliamentarians..
2.Members of Provincial Assembly
3.Chairman District Council.
4.Chairman Municipal Corporations
5.Government Servants in BPS-17 and above.
A List of Prohibited Bore (PB) and Non Prohibited Bore (NPB) weapons is shown
below.
1. Shotgun.12/.14/.16 bore including pump action non automatic.
2. Revolvers/pistols All bores.

3. Rifles.22 bore non automatic

Arms Category Published In The Gazette of Pakistan

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 11-A of Pakistan Arms Ordinance, 1965
and in supersession of this Ministrys Notification No. F.7/20/91-Arms-II, dated 18th August, 1991, the
Federal Government is pleased to specify below the description, caliber and bore of arms and ammunition
which are to be Prohibited and Non Prohibited bore for the purpose of the said Ordinance namely:
PROHIBITED CATEGORY
i)

Shotgun

a.

Shotguns having less than 18 inches (457.2 mm) barrel length

ii)

Pistol/Revolvers

a.

Machine/fully automatic pistols

b.

Pistols having magazine capacity of more than 22 bullets.

c.

Pistols/Revolvers over 45 inches (11.43 mm) caliber

iii)

Rifles

a.

All fully automatic of all calibers.

b.

Rifles having less than 18 inches (457.2 mm) barrel.

c.

Rifles having magazine capacity of more than 22 bullets.

iv)

Weapon of all bore used by Armed Forces i.e. 7.62 mm etc.

v)

All Cannon which under the Arms Ordinance is defined as prohibited bore, including:

a.

All types of artillery, mortars, machines and sub-machine guns

b.

Silencers for all machine and sub-machine guns.

c.

Anti-tank rifles and recoil-less guns or rifles and bazookas.

d.

Revolvers or pistols over 45 inches (11.43 mm) bore.

e.

Nuclear weapons of all types.

f.

Projectors, guided missiles, and dischargers for grenades, rockets, bombs

and gas or smoke containers.

g.

Flame throwers of all types.

h.

All carriages, platforms and appliances for mounting or transporting cannon and

i.

Parts of cannons.

NON-PROHIBITED CATEGORY
i)

SHOTGUNS

a.

Single or double barrel a shotguns gauges 12, 16, 20, 28 and .410.

b.

Semi automatic/pump action shotguns having tube magazine capacity of

not more than 9 cartridges.

c.

All muzzle loading shotguns.

ii)

PISTOLS/REVOLVERS

a.

Semi automatic Pistols and revolvers upto and including .45 caliber with

maximum magazine capacity of 22 bullets.

iii)

RIFLES

a.

All bolt action rifles and semi automatic rifles having magazine capacity upto

22 bullets cartridge including 222 & 223 Rifle, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 303 etc. (except fully automatic)
b.

All muzzle loading rifles.

c.

All fixed stock double barrel hunting rifles of upto 500 nitro expreo.

(ALI AKBAR KHATTAK)

SECTION OFFICER (ARMS)