LAHORE – Punjab Police and Crime Control Department (CCD), in collaboration with the provincial Home Department, will implement a de-weaponization plan across the province following legislation regarding the possession of weapons, officials announced on Friday.
The CCD Punjab has unveiled an amnesty scheme for all individuals possessing illegal weapons, urging them to surrender their arms before the law. Officials made it clear that strict action would be taken against those who fail to deposit illegal weapons after the introduction of the new arms law.
“For illegal weapons, the provincial government has decided to give 15 days to all those who possess such arms,” said CCD Head Additional Inspector General Sohail Zafar Chattha while addressing a joint press conference with Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr. Usman Anwar and Special Secretary Home Department at the IGP Office in Lahore.
وزیر اعلٰی پنجاب مریم نواز کے وژن کے مطابق، پنجاب کو اسلحہ سے پاک کرنے کیلئے آئی جی پنجاب ڈاکٹر عثمان انور کی اہم پریس کانفرنس۔۔۔
"کرائم کنٹرول ڈیپارٹمنٹ CCD منظم اور سنگین جرائم کے خاتمے کے لیئے وزیر اعلی پنجاب کا ایک اہم اقدام ہے جو کہ پولیس کی متوازی ادارہ نہیں بلکہ آئی جی… pic.twitter.com/pZx6JvjP8c— Punjab Police Official (@OfficialDPRPP) October 24, 2025
“Every individual who has illegal weapons can surrender his or her weapons before CCD police stations or designated collection points within the given time. No action will be taken against those who surrender their weapons,” Chattha added.
He emphasized that “after the deadline, the CCD will take strict action.”
Speaking about licensed weapons, Chatha explained: “There is a need to regulate licensed weapons as well. Around one million licensed weapons exist in Punjab, issued by the provincial government over the decades. Apart from these, there are automatic weapons licensed by the federal government.”
“The rules are being framed for these weapons licensed by the federal government. The new law will determine who can obtain a license and who cannot. If a person does not qualify to possess a licensed weapon, his or her weapon will be confiscated and destroyed,” he said. “These will not be deposited anywhere, as the authorities do not have a proper storage facility for such weapons.”
Talking about private security companies, Chatha said: “Most private security companies lack proper standards. Strict recruitment standards are being established, allowing only individuals with a background in the military, Rangers, paramilitary forces, or police to be hired. These recruits will receive a month-long training, and the licenses of private security companies will also be regulated.”
He added that legislation in this regard would be completed within the next eight to ten days, after which “the countdown period will begin to achieve the goal.”
Chatha also took a firm stance against the so-called Dala culture, saying: “Those who can afford excessive weapons and Dala culture can shift to Dubai.”
Meanwhile, IGP Dr. Usman Anwar said: “The shooter mafia has been taken to task by the CCD. The CCD took action against robbery-cum-murder, rape-cum-murder, serious and organized crimes, including Dala culture.”
He appreciated the Chief Minister’s support, saying, “It seemed like a tough task, but the CM provided full backing to CCD officials.”
Highlighting efforts for the protection of women and children, the IGP said: “Over 2,500 missing children were recovered through drastic action. The virtual women police station resolved over 150,000 cases and continued to follow up, while a virtual child police station was also established.”
He added that “drastic action is being taken against those who target children and women.”
“We provided Rs 4.5 billion worth of equipment to the CCD and spent Rs 3 billion on it,” said IGP Anwar. “The results are before you all, and our tenure has been extended due to our performance.”
Discussing the reduction in violence, he noted: “The police have reduced the shooter or murder culture by 33 percent.”
Chatha further elaborated: “CCD is aimed at dealing with serious and organized crimes. Necessary legislation has been completed for this. CCD is not a parallel police system—it operates under the IGP and handles specific crimes such as dacoity, murder by shooter, killing of complainants or witnesses, rape, rape during robbery or gang rape, and extortion.”
He revealed that “a 71 percent reduction in robbery, 70 percent reduction in dacoity, and 33 percent decline in murder cases have been witnessed since CCD began operations in Punjab.”
“Before the establishment of the CCD, about 1,300 murders occurred every month in Punjab; now, that number has dropped to 800,” Chatha said, adding that these figures were independently verified.
He noted that vehicle snatching at gunpoint had decreased by 62 percent, while vehicle thefts had gone down by 51 percent across Punjab.
“The Punjab Chief Minister has directed the CCD to de-weaponize the province,” Chatha added. “Our target is a 75 percent reduction in crimes involving guns or pistols within the next four months, and for that, de-weaponization is essential.”
He clarified that “there are two types of weapons—licensed and illegal.”
The IGP emphasized that surveillance at Punjab’s check posts was being tightened to prevent the transfer of weapons.
“All those who think they can hide illegal weapons cannot escape,” said the IGP. “We are going to introduce a whistleblower system.”
The Special Secretary of the Home Department also outlined stringent penalties for those found in possession of illegal weapons.
He announced that “scrutiny of the one million licenses will be conducted again, and licenses will be canceled after due diligence.”
The IGP reiterated that the police would fully implement the Chief Minister’s policy.
“This government has inducted 25,000 new personnel into the police force and carried out around 20,000 promotions,” he added.
Responding to the questions, the IGP said that an organization has now been completely proscribed and they are not allowed to continue the political activities. He said that 88 FIRs have been registered.
“These people [TLP workers] attacked the cops, snatched weapons and vehicles and set many things on fire. The eyes of many cops have been damaged in these peoples’ attacks,” said the IGP.
When asked if Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz was confined to her residence in Jati Umra after TLP ban, he said that there is no impact or fear of this organization. To another question about Saad and Anas Rizvi, the leaders of banned TLP, the IGP said that they are wanted by the law enforcement agencies and they have to face the law. However, he said Rizvi brothers are not in the custody of any law enforcement agency so far.
