Daily Times

Sir: Computer importers and some officials have convinced our rulers that computerisation is a panacea for many of our problems. So, the government has decided to computerise arms licences to eliminate illegal arms. This wisdom is beyond my comprehension. A criminal will never commit a planned crime with a licenced weapon nor surrender illegal weapon unless arrested.

Consequently, law abiding senior citizens including pensioners with decades old arms licences (verified in 1998) are also counted among suspects and they have to go through complex, expensive and physically painful verification and computerisation procedures, especially during the current harsh weather conditions.
I request the Federal Minister for Interior and Chief Minister Punjab to kindly allow senior citizens to retain original licences (to be returned if taken back) stamped gratis for a lifetime like CNICs, with provision to replace old copies if required.
M AKRAM NIAZI
Rawalpindi