The post office or NBP be authorized to collect these fees instead of NADRA, which would provide greater convenience and accessibility to the people of Thatta
Thatta
A significant number of citizens from all walks of life, who possess arm licenses and have purchased costly arms mostly short guns, for their safety, are facing significant challenges due to NADRA’s policies in the Thatta region.
Many of these licenses were issued during the PPP government in 1989 and have been renewed annually through NBP branches with a nominal challan fee of five hundred rupees.
However, the situation took a turn when, after several years, the NBP declined to accept the renewal fees, prompting the government to refer the matter to NADRA for collection.
In 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NADRA temporarily halted the fee collection, resulting in the expiration of the renewal dates for numerous license holders, who were subsequently denied the option to submit their challan fees.
The employees at the NADRA Thatta office stated that they were instructed by a letter NADRA head office in compliance with directives of the interior ministers office to discontinue the renewal process for licenses in case that had been expired.
They advised affected individuals to personally approach the interior ministers in Islamabad to address the issue.
However, this has posed a significant challenge for the people of Thatta, as traveling to Islamabad and navigating the process is not feasible for many.
In light of these challenges, the license holders are urgently appealing to the government of Pakistan to intervene and direct NADRA to resume the collection of arm license renewal fees.
Alternatively, they propose that the post office or NBP be authorized to collect these fees instead of NADRA, which would provide greater convenience and accessibility to the people of Thatta.
The license holders hope that the government will take prompt action to resolve this matter, ensuring the safety and peace of mind of all Pakistan arm license holders in the region.
