Senate panel seeks suspension of arms licences issued to non-tax filers

The Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control has recommended the immediate suspension of arms licences issued to non-tax filers and directed authorities to halt the issuance of any new licences to individuals who do not file tax returns, while seeking a clear timeline for implementation.

According to reports, the committee, chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, reviewed the issuance of arms licences by the Ministry of Interior as part of its broader deliberations on law and order, public safety and governance.

Interior ministry officials informed the committee that eligibility criteria for arms licences include Pakistani citizenship, a minimum age of 25 years, mental and psychological fitness and good conduct. However, the committee was told that around 32,000 licences had been issued to non-tax filers, compared with about 3,000 granted to tax filers, raising concerns over enforcement of tax compliance.

Senator Talha Mahmood questioned the disparity and called for stricter linkage between tax filing and licence eligibility. The chairman directed that licences held by non-filers should be cancelled, stressing that compliance with tax laws must be a prerequisite for holding an arms licence.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry told the committee that a significant number of licences had been issued under previous administrations, adding that the current government has tightened the process, approving only a limited number of applications and blocking nearly 90% of requests.

The chairman also directed that licences linked to weapons used in criminal activity be cancelled immediately.

Responding to the discussion, the minister suggested that instead of immediate cancellation, licence holders could be given a specified period to regularise their tax status, after which non-compliant licences would be withdrawn.