AJK Enforces 10-Day Deadline for Police Registration of All Arms Licenses

Authorities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir have introduced a strict new requirement for firearms owners, ordering every arms license holder to register their license at the nearest police station within 10 days of the notification's issuance. The directive was issued by the AJK Home Department as part of efforts to tighten oversight of legal and illegal weapons in the region.

Under the new rule, the requirement applies to all license holders, regardless of where the license was originally issued. Holders must complete registration even if their license was granted by another issuing authority, removing any ambiguity about which jurisdictions the order covers.

At the police station level, the station house officer or a designated representative will record each license's details and provide the holder with a registration slip. This slip will serve as official proof that the registration process has been completed, giving law enforcement a documented record of legally held firearms.

Police stations have also been instructed to send verified lists of registered licenses to the relevant deputy commissioner and superintendent of police on a daily basis. The reporting mechanism is intended to keep district authorities informed in real time about compliance and the status of licensed weapons in their areas.

The Home Department has warned that licenses not registered within the 10-day window will be treated as cancelled. It further cautioned that anyone found in possession of a weapon without completing the required registration will face legal action, including immediate arrest and seizure of the firearm.

Officials said the special instructions were issued to curb the use and supply of illegal weapons across Azad Jammu and Kashmir. All license holders have been urged to comply within the stipulated period to avoid cancellation of their licenses and subsequent enforcement measures.