Pakistan suspends licenses for automatic weapons

Islamabad, Nov 12 (IANS) Pakistan has suspended the licenses for all prohibited bore weapons through which automatic weapons have been registered, a media report said.

The Interior Ministry had issued a notification regarding the move earlier this week, reports Dawn news.

The owners of automatic weapons will be able to get their weapons replaced with semi-automatic firearms or get 50,000 Pakistani rupees ($475) in return for their weapons from the district administration, the notification said.

The owners of automatic weapons have until January 15, 2018, to submit their weapons or get them replaced following which all licenses will be considered revoked, the ministry announced.

This decision has been taken in tune with Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's promise to ban all automatic weapons.

"There is not a single country in the world which allows the licensing of automatic rifles for citizens. However, if you go outside the Parliament right now, you will see a private militia," Abbasi had said during his speech on the floor of National Assembly after taking oath as the Prime Minister in August.

"Action will be taken against them if my Cabinet allows for it. The federal government will seize all automatic weapons, compensating people in return."

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