ISLAMABAD: All permits to carry weapons, issued by the capital administration, have been suspended in Islamabad due to the law and order situation.

A notification issued from the office of District Magistrate Irfan Nawaz Memon said: “It is hereby notified that all the carry permits for arms licence are hereby suspended.”

It is further notified that individuals with valid arms licences can carry weapons mentioned in the arms licence (in case section 144 CrPC on display of weapons is not imposed) in a concealed manner without brandishing or display of weapon.

Similarly, the retainer mentioned in the arms licence can carry the weapon mentioned in the arms licence.

Officials of the capital administration said carry permit is necessary to carry the licence, which is issued by District Magistrate.

After suspension of the carry permit no one can display or carry weapons in the capital, they added.

However, those who have valid arms licence can move with the weapon while putting it inside the vehicle only, the officials said, adding that the step had been taken keeping in view of the security situation in the capital.

The step has been taken after increased political intolerance was observed among the people sharply and some incidents of quarrel also took place in the capital.

Besides, the political situation and inflation have also increased stress level among the people.

Meanwhile, personnel of Islamabad police and Frontier Constabulary (FC) held an anti-riot exercise to cope with any untoward situation in a professional manner in capital, police said.

Deputy Commandant FC retired Capt Abdul Saeed Naveed and Inspector General of Police Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan reviewed the joint exercises on Thursday. The reason behind the exercise is to follow the international standards and get the force trained in use of anti-riot gear, including teargas shells, smoke shells, rubber bullets guns, and pepper balls guns.

The training also includes protection from stones and sling shots, and how to disperse the mob, they said, adding that baton charge, teargas, water cannon and smoke shells are commonly used in capital to disperse the mob and maintain the law and order.

However, if necessary and in extreme law and order situation the police may also use the pepper balls and rubber bullet to protect the lives, property of the people and save and avoid injuries to the law enforcers during confrontation, they said.

During the recent long marchof PTI, 20 personnel of capital and the Punjab Police, FC and Rangers were injured, they said, adding that besides, the protesters hit the personnel with their vehicles and tried to run over their vehicles on them

The teargas shells available with the police have four years expiry date, and same printed on it is a manufacturing date, they added.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2022