In accordance with the vision of Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, to make the province free of weapons, Inspector General of Police Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar held an important press conference at the Central Police Office Lahore. Special Secretary Home Fazal-ur-Rehman and Additional IG CCD (Counter Crime Department) Sohail Zafar Chattha were also present on the occasion.
IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for her special directives under which the CCD and RMP were established and the police were provided with necessary facilities. He announced the introduction of the Punjab Surrender of Illegal Arms Act 2025, under which all illegal arms across the province must be surrendered within 15 days. The campaign also aims to completely eradicate the “dalaa culture” (gun display culture) from the province.
Dr. Usman Anwar stated that over one million licensed weapons would be reverified, and scrutiny and search operations will be launched across Punjab. He emphasized that individuals keeping illegal weapons under the pretext of personal enmities or self-protection would face strict, indiscriminate action. Those involved in the purchase and sale of illegal arms will also be dealt with severely. Every citizen must surrender their illegal weapons within the specified period.
The CCD will take comprehensive measures to make the province arms-free. Illegal weapons can be surrendered at CCD offices, designated police stations, and notified collection centers. All recovered illegal arms will be destroyed under CCD supervision. Furthermore, scanners are being installed at provincial border check-posts to prevent arms smuggling.
The IG Punjab further said that the recruitment process for private security guards is being tightened, and all guards will be trained under police supervision while their licenses will be strictly regulated. Crackdowns are also underway against target killers and hired shooters. A new panic button system is being introduced for private guards, which will be connected to the Police Emergency Helpline 15.
Dr. Usman Anwar also shared that more than 2,500 abducted or missing children have been safely reunited with their families through the Virtual Center for Child Safety.
Special Secretary Home Fazal-ur-Rehman stated that possession of illegal weapons will carry imprisonment of 4 to 14 years and fines between Rs 1 million and Rs 3 million. The offense will be non-bailable.
Additional IG CCD Sohail Zafar Chattha highlighted that since the establishment of the CCD, there has been a significant decline in crime rates across the province. He reported that murders have dropped by 33%, vehicle snatching by 62%, vehicle theft by 51%, dacoities by 70%, and street robberies by 71%. He added that under the ongoing crackdown on illegal arms, the department aims to reduce weapon-based crimes by 75% within the next four months.
Furthermore, he revealed that murder cases in the province have fallen from 1,300 to 800 monthly, while the overall crime rate has decreased by 70%.
At the conclusion of the press conference, IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar answered various questions from journalists.