Lahore: In alignment with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Safe Punjab Vision, Punjab Police, led by Inspector General Dr. Usman Anwar, has significantly ramped up its operations against the possession and distribution of illegal weapons across the province. The intensified crackdown has already resulted in the confiscation of a substantial number of firearms and ammunition.

According to Punjab Police announcement issued on 13 September 2024, the force has successfully seized 1,166 Kalashnikovs, 31,579 pistols, 2,462 guns, 2,255 rifles, and 503 revolvers during the ongoing campaign. Officers have also recovered 237,735 bullets and cartridges. In Lahore alone, the figures include 107 Kalashnikovs, 6,580 pistols, 465 rifles, 253 guns, 51 revolvers, and over 37,000 bullets.

Dr. Usman Anwar has instructed for stringent legal measures against individuals showcasing weapons on social media or engaging in aerial firing. He also called for systematic checks on weapon dealers to ensure their licenses and inventories comply with legal standards. Moreover, regional and district police chiefs have been mandated to submit weekly updates to the Central Police Office on progress made in the crackdown against illegal weapons, emphasizing a sustained and vigilant approach to enforcing law and order in the region.