Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired the fourth extraordinary meeting on law and order, approving major reforms aimed at making the province arms-free and curbing weapon smuggling.

The meeting decided to introduce the Punjab Surrender of Illegal Arms Act 2025, which will be implemented in three phases focusing on surrender, disposal, and enforcement.

Under the new law, illegal weapons must be surrendered within 15 days, while the verification and scrutiny of one million licensed arms will also be carried out.

The verification will cover both provincial and federally issued licences, with the Punjab government coordinating with federal authorities for data checks.

The meeting further decided that only police personnel and registered security guards will be allowed to carry weapons. Private security companies will be formally registered and their guards linked to the Punjab Police Helpline 15.

A pilot project for drone policing will be launched in Lahore to ensure a rapid response at crime scenes. Drones will reach the site immediately after an incident is reported to assist in tracking suspects. The project will later expand across the province.

Punjab will also install modern arms scanners at 14 key entry and exit points to curb weapons smuggling. The penalty for arms smuggling will be set at 14 years’ imprisonment.

To discourage the weapon culture, the government has decided to double the annual arms licence renewal fee.

CM Maryam said the new system of integrated security and arms regulation aims to ensure lasting peace and eliminate illegal weapons from Punjab.