The smuggling and sale of illegal weapons in Punjab has reached alarming levels, raising serious concerns over the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies. Despite frequent seizures, many of the confiscated weapons are later declared legal on paper, aided by forged documentation and altered serial numbers that mask their true origins.
Residents, like Lahore’s Muhammad Usman, say deteriorating law and order have pushed many to arm themselves. “Due to the nature of my work and the risks involved, I carry a licensed firearm for protection,” he said, noting that criminals often use smuggled or stolen arms to carry out robberies and assaults.
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Data from the Punjab Police reveals the scale of the issue, with thousands of illegal weapons seized across major districts in the first quarter of 2025. Lahore alone recorded the confiscation of 2,393 illegal arms, followed closely by Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, and Sargodha. Most of these weapons are reportedly smuggled from Dara Adam Khel in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, concealed in vehicles ranging from cargo trucks to private cars.
While Punjab police officials claim a province-wide crackdown is underway, insiders suggest selective enforcement is often influenced by political pressure. Arms dealers are known to forge licenses and operate with impunity—sometimes even delivering weapons to customers’ homes under the guise of family visits to avoid detection.
In response, the Punjab Home Department has taken action against 19 fake arms dealers and is re-verifying all licenses under the Punjab Arms Rules 2023. Home Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal confirmed that over 380 dealers have received new computerized licenses, and warned that all illicit activity would be met with a zero-tolerance policy.
