Lahore: In line with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Safe Punjab Vision, the Punjab Police has escalated efforts across the province to confiscate illegal weapons, conducting extensive searches and seizing thousands of firearms. The initiative, focusing on all districts including Lahore, aims to significantly reduce the circulation of unauthorized arms and enhance public safety.

According to Punjab Police, a substantial number of firearms, bullets, and cartridges have been confiscated during this aggressive campaign throughout the year. The police have recovered 1,302 Kalashnikovs, 36,461 pistols, 2,768 shotguns, 2,521 rifles, 603 revolvers, and 262,583 bullets and cartridges across Punjab. Specifically, in Lahore, authorities seized 118 Kalashnikovs, 7,368 pistols, 519 rifles, 282 shotguns, 64 revolvers, and 41,597 bullets from suspects.

IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar has issued orders for stringent legal measures against individuals involved in the public display of weapons on social media platforms and engaging in celebratory gunfire. He stressed the importance of holding those who flaunt their weapons in TikTok videos accountable, advocating for equal and fair justice. Dr. Anwar also highlighted the need for regular checks on the licensing and inventory of arms dealers and has directed Regional Police Officers (RPOs) and District Police Officers (DPOs) to provide weekly updates on the ongoing operations to the Central Police Office. He underscored that the priority should be to accelerate actions to eradicate illegal arms possession.