Government introduces computerised arms licence management system

The federal government has introduced a secure Computerised Arms License Management System which will help curb crime, said Ali Arshad Hakeem, Chairman National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), here on Wednesday. Nadra issues computerised arm licenses to people after final nod given by the Ministry of Interior, Hakeem said while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Interior about pros and cons of the arms license project, which met with Senator Talha Mahmood in the chair.
The chairman Nadra informed the committee that security is the essence of the reliability of any particular identity document. The current situation in the country demands that a document as sensitive as the arms license be developed in a highly secure environment, he added.
In continuation of the background security checks employed in this new system, physical security features are added to strengthen the reliability factor, he said, adding that the design of the software application of ALP is based on explicit and emphasised consideration to security, transparency, flexibility, scalability and efficiency.
He also informed the committee members that weapons for which licenses are permissible have been categorised as Non Prohibited Bore (NPB) and Prohibited Bore (PB) for which computerised arms license will be issued within 15 days after receiving the demand note from the applicant while computerised arms license will be valid for a period of 5 years.
The demand note, a secured paper with multiple security features is being issued to the applicant four days after receiving the duly filled application after which verification of his/her CINC and other quality control checks would be undertaken, he added.
He said the Interior Ministry has instructed the Nadra for development and delivering a state-of-the-art arms license system and core deliverable of the system is a card, which would entitle the holder of the license to possess an authorised weapon. He informed the parliamentarians that the card is printed on a chemical substrate, which is the same as used in the production and preparation of the current Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs).
He said the process would be systematic and transparent including approval of the Ministry of Interior, a Secured Weapon Procurement Authorisation (Demand note) is generated with an encrypted barcode. Nadra ensures production and distribution of cards and generate instant reports for management decision while a web portal for the Interior Ministry is also being made for the reporting of arms licenses issued, he added.
The application forms are received at Nadra center with fee in cash after which the scanning and data entry of the application forms is being done subject to verification of applicant's CNIC. Nadra is responsible for feedback generation to MOI and applicant, if form is rejected. Nadra issues cards to new applicants and process applications for modification and renewal of the card also. NPB License is being issued to those security companies who have the approval from Ministry of Interior.