ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa expressed his ire on Wednesday over Pakistan’s lax licensing policies for firearms and questioned the interior ministry, home departments, and law enforcement about how simple it is to obtain a license and obtain guns.
The chief judge stated that narcotics and weapons have ruined the country and that Pakistan must get rid of Kalashnikov culture.
“Kalashnikovs and drugs have ruined Pakistan.” The nation’s top judge said, “No one goes around carrying Kalashnikovs in big cars with tinted glasses anywhere in the world.”
Moreover, CJP Isa claimed to have received an offer to purchase a Kalashnikov license.
The chief justice spoke during the petitioner’s bail hearing who was charged with theft.
After a citizen’s home was broken into and their guns were taken as part of the theft, Kashif, the petitioner, was arrested on theft charges.
The chief judge inquired of relevant authorities, “How many licenses of prohibited weapons were issued across the country?”
Notifications were also sent by the Supreme Court to the province home secretaries, attorney general for Pakistan, inspector generals, and provincial advocate generals. It has also instructed that a copy of the order be sent.
CJP Isa bemoaned the fact that the police did not ask the owner of the stolen weapon for a license. “The owner himself is confessing that two Kalashnikovs, a pistol and other valuables were stolen.”
Next, he inquired as to the petitioner’s source for the Kalashnikov.
Since the IG was awarding licenses without any form of verification, the top judge made hints about taking legal action against him.
“We will write to the interior secretary to return all Kalashnikovs and their licenses,” said he.
The police don’t dare question persons with tinted glasses on their vehicles carrying Kalashnikovs, according to CJP Isa, while guards stand outside residences in Islamabad brandishing Kalashnikovs and people are spotted standing with them in shops and schools.
“Remain at home if you’re afraid. They appear to terrify people and demonstrate their might,” he continued.
How can one tell if someone brandishing a Kalashnikov is a terrorist or someone else? said the chief justice.
