Senate Seeks Arms Licence Ban for Non-Tax Filers

The Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control has called for the immediate suspension of arms licences held by non-tax filers and ordered a freeze on issuing new licences to individuals who do not submit tax returns, while demanding a definitive implementation timeline.

Reports indicate that the committee, chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, examined the Interior Ministry’s arms licensing process during discussions focused on law and order, public safety, and governance reforms.

Interior Ministry officials briefed the committee that arms licence eligibility requires Pakistani nationality, a minimum age of 25 years, psychological and mental fitness, and a clean conduct record. However, lawmakers were informed that nearly 32,000 licences had been issued to non-tax filers, compared to roughly 3,000 granted to tax filers, triggering serious concerns over weak tax enforcement.

Senator Talha Mahmood questioned the stark imbalance and urged a stronger linkage between tax compliance and licence eligibility. The committee chairman directed that licences issued to non-filers be revoked, emphasising that adherence to tax laws must be mandatory for retaining an arms licence.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry told the committee that many of these licences were issued under previous governments, noting that the current administration has significantly tightened controls, approving only a limited number of cases and rejecting nearly 90% of applications.

The chairman further ordered the immediate cancellation of licences associated with weapons used in criminal activities.

In response, the minister proposed allowing licence holders a defined grace period to regularise their tax affairs, after which licences of non-compliant individuals would be cancelled.