LAHORE:
In Punjab, the illegal smuggling of weapons has become a norm, raising serious concerns about the efficiency of the agencies of application of the law regarding its ability to stop this activity. Although a large number of illegal weapons are seized, many declare themselves legal on paper.
In addition, serial numbers are also changed to mask the origins of these weapons. The lack of strict application has contributed to the growing scale of this business, which leads many citizens to maintain weapons for their own protection.
A Lahore resident, Muhammad Usman, shared that his line of work required him to regularly have cash from the Shah Alam market and transport his home to Bank. “Due to the safety risks involved, sometimes I have a legally licensed firearm legally.
According to Data Obtained by the Express PAkGazette from the Police, in the First Three Months of 2025, 2,535 Illegal Weapons Were was in Sheikhupura, 2,393 Illegal Weapons were 897 in Rawalpindi, 1,455 in Sargodha, 1,546 in Faisalabad, 1,027 in fine, 753 in Sahiwal, 833 in DG Khan and 561 in Bahawalpur, against which cases have been recorded.
As reported, weapons are smuggled in Punjab by Dara Adam Khel in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The AIG police monitoring Punjab, Khalid Mahmood, declared that the police had launched a repression throughout the province against smuggling, with a large -scale arms seizure operation currently currently current. “Every time the police receive information, the weapons are confiscated from the location and the formal cases are registered against the accused,” Mahmood said.
On the other hand, police sources anonymously revealed that it was known that many people in certain areas had illegal weapons. “The police are aware of who owns these weapons or is involved in their illegal trade. However, if they receive pressure from the higher authorities, they take measures; otherwise, the matter is often resolved in silence,” confessed an official.
It has been revealed that these distributors often collute with others to obtain false licenses for weapons. In addition, they plan and coordinate the smuggling of illegal weapons in vehicles, sometimes hiding them in plant or load trucks during transport. Stiring, if a client requests, weapons even surrender with their families to avoid suspicion.
According to the reports, a Tiktoker known as Bobby Malik sold illegal weapons under the name of Al-Islam Arms using counterfeit documents. Similarly, the Haji Zarwali Khan weapon dealership in Bhaati Gate, Lahore was sealed and its suspended license after it was discovered that a sales agent was illegally operating under the same license. Other suspended weapons traffickers include, Mian Khalid & Company, Katchehri Bazaar, Faisalabad, Chakwal Armory, Commercial Market, Talagang Road, Chakwal, Sarhad Arms, Marhaba Plaza, District Atock, Javad & Company, Katchehri Bazaar, Faisalab.
Previously, the Department of Origin took strict measures against 19 false weapons traffickers. The Secretary of the Interior of Punjab, Noor-Ul-Amin Mengal, declared that selling weapons based on false licenses was a serious crime, and all involved will be taken to justice. “According to the Punjab 2023 weapons rules, the department is reverifying the licenses of all arms deals throughout the province. Until now, 386 weapons traffickers have received commercial arms licenses computed after verification. A zero tolerance policy is being implemented against false weapons licenses and false concessionaires,” said Mengal.
According to a spokesman for the Department of Origin of Punjab, any transaction of weapons with these false distributors is illegal and legal measures will be taken against those involved. The department has instructed that these sealed weapons traffickers will remain closed until further notice.
