A resident of Lahore, Muhammad Usman, shared that his line of work required him to regularly collect cash from Shah Alam Market and transport it either to the bank or to his home. “Due to the security risks involved, I sometimes carry a legally licensed firearm for protection. Thieves and bandits often use smuggled or stolen firearms to carry out crimes. When illegal firearms are seized, the forensic laboratory documents the unique markings of bullets fired from those weapons,” said Usman.
According to data obtained by the Express Tribune from the police, in the first three months of 2025, 2,535 illegal weapons were seized in Sheikhupura, 2,393 illegal weapons were seized in Lahore, 1,388 illegal weapons were seized in Gujranwala, 897 in Rawalpindi, 1,455 in Sargodha, 1,546 in Faisalabad, 1,027 in Multan, 753 in Sahiwal, 833 in DG Khan, and 561 in Bahawalpur, against which cases have been registered.
Reportedly, weapons are smuggled into Punjab from Dara Adam Khel in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). AIG Police Monitoring Punjab, Khalid Mahmood, stated that the police had launched a province-wide crackdown against smuggling, with a large-scale arms seizure operation currently underway. “Whenever the police receive information, weapons are confiscated from the location and formal cases are registered against the accused,” said Mahmood.
On the other hand, police sources anonymously revealed that many individuals in certain areas were known to possess illegal weapons. “Law enforcement is aware of who owns these arms or is involved in their illegal trade. However, if they receive pressure from higher authorities, they take action; otherwise, the matter is often settled quietly,” confessed an official.
It has been revealed that these dealers often collude with others to obtain fake licenses for the weapons. Furthermore, they plan and coordinate the smuggling of illegal arms in vehicles, sometimes hiding them in vegetable or cargo trucks during transportation. Alarmingly, if a customer requests, weapons are even delivered alongside their families to avoid suspicion.
A TikToker known as Bobby Malik was reportedly selling illegal weapons under the name of Al-Islam Arms using forged documents. Similarly, the arms dealership of Haji Zarwali Khan in Bhaati Gate, Lahore was sealed and its license suspended after it was found that a sales agent was illegally operating under the same license. Other suspended arms dealers include, Mian Khalid & Company, Katchehri Bazaar, Faisalabad, Chakwal Armory, Commercial Market, Talagang Road, Chakwal, Sarhad Arms, Marhaba Plaza, District Attock, Javad & Company, Katchehri Bazaar, Faisalabad.
Previously, the Home Department took strict action against 19 fake arms dealers. Punjab Home Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal stated that selling weapons based on bogus licenses was a serious crime, and all those involved will be brought to justice. “Under the Punjab Arms Rules 2023, the department is re-verifying the licenses of all arms dealers across the province. So far, 386 arms dealers have been issued computerized arms business licenses after verification. A zero-tolerance policy is being implemented against bogus arms licenses and fake dealers,” said Mengal.
According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department, any arms transactions with these fake dealers are illegal and legal action will be taken against those involved. The department has instructed that these sealed arms dealer shops are to remain closed until further notice.