A Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB) License is a legal document which allows Pakistani citizens to legally own and possess small-caliber guns like handguns, revolvers and shotguns. The license is primarily given on self-defence, sport shooting, or personal security and it is administered by provincial Home Departments. Being licensed as an NPB implies that the ownership of firearms is legal, documented, and regulated.
Difference Between NPB and Prohibited Bore (PB) Licenses
The only distinction is the nature of the weapon and the authority issuing it. NPB licences are issued on small-caliber firearms and are typically provided to individual citizens by provincial governments. PB licences are issued by the Federal Ministry of Interior and include high-caliber, automatic, or military-grade firearms and are usually granted to police, government officials, and specialised security personnel. The PB firearms are associated with stricter eligibility requirements, increased fees, and regulations.
Importance of Owning an NPB Legally in Pakistan
Having an NPB licence will offer peace of mind, personal protection and legal security. Carrying a firearm without a licence is a criminal offence punishable by fines, imprisonment or by confiscation under the Arms Ordinance 1965 and Arms Rules 2017. An authentic NPB licence enables citizens to possess guns safely and legally as well as acting in regard to provincial legislation and safety rules.
Legal Framework Governing NPB License in Pakistan
Overview of Pakistan Arms Ordinance 1965 and Arms Rules 2017
In the case of Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB) weapons, the basic legal framework of firearms possession is the Pakistan Arms Ordinance 1965. Arms Rules 2017 provide comprehensive steps to follow in issuing, renewing, and maintaining the licences so as to make sure that ownership is responsible. The two laws contain the eligibility, documents to be submitted and the verification procedures of the applicants of the NPB licence.
Role of Ministry of Interior and Provincial Home Departments
PB arms licenses are issued by the Ministry of Interior, and NPB licences are provided to the provincial Home Departments regarding the private citizens. The applications are processed by these authorities, police verification is conducted, background checks are carried out, and the licences are issued with the compliance with federal and provincial regulations. The provinces, Punjab, Sindh, KP, and Balochistan have their procedures and timelines of NPB licensing.
Legal Consequences of Possessing NPB Weapons Without a License
Possession of an Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB) firearm without the appropriate licence is an offence in the Arms Ordinance and Rules. Any violation may result in fines, imprisonment and seizure of the weapon. Further penalty is imposed on the use of an unlicensed gun in or near public or during criminal acts, which proves that NPB licence must be obtained with legal legitimacy to obtain a gun or to carry it.
Eligibility Criteria for Obtaining an NPB License
Age, Citizenship, and Residency Requirements
The applicant should be a Pakistani citizen and aged 21 years to apply to be an NPB licence holder. Evidence of a permanent residence, e.g. valid CNIC and address verification, is required. Additional documents can also be needed to prove that one is a resident in some provinces.
Criminal Record and Background Check
A comprehensive background check by the local police and where necessary, Special Branch should be carried out on all applicants. People with a criminal record, criminal cases pending, or history of violence are disqualified. A certificate of character and medical fitness must also be submitted to prevent unsafe and irresponsible ownership.
Special Conditions for Government Employees, Security Personnel, and Retired Military
Special provisions are open to government officials, police officers, security staff and retired military members. Such applicants are usually given lax eligibility requirements due to their work. They are however required to offer official sanction or departmental approval and the firearms acquired through these have to be used strictly in line with the profession or security, in compliance with the federal and provincial laws.
Types of Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB) Licenses
Individual NPB Licenses for Personal Use
The individual NPB licences are given to the private citizens to protect themselves, to shoot competitively, or to protect themselves. They include small-caliber guns such as handguns, revolvers, and shotguns. The renewal period is typically three to five years and the holders have to comply with provincial safety, storage and usage requirements.
Institutional or Security Company NPB Licenses
Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB) licences may be granted to organizations to arm employees or security personnel, including security firms, banks and private companies. They should be accompanied by company registration, personnel list, and firearm justification. Institutional licences are strictly regulated in order to make sure that firearms are used professionally.
Rules for Renewal, Transfer, and Upgrading Licenses
- Renewal: The NPB licences should be renewed after a certain period to be valid. The late renewal may be penalized or suspended.
- Transfer: It is only through the issuance of an official No Objection Certificate (NOC) that one can transfer, or sell weapons.
- Upgrading: Federal approval, further paperwork, and tightening of the belt is required to upgrade an NPB licence into a PB licence. The adherence to these rules guarantees the legal and responsible ownership.
Step-by-Step Application Process for NPB License
Offline Application via District Collector / DC Office
1. Get the application at the office of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) or the Arms Branch of the District.
2. Complete the form correctly and include such necessary documents like CNIC, photographs and proof of residence, NOC, and medical certificate.
3. Present the application in person and submit the required fee at the specified bank or counter including the receipt to act as evidence.
4. Background checks and criminal record/character check of the applicant will be done by local police.
5. On confirmation, the licence is granted by the DC office, and the applicant picks it up.
Online Application Process through Interior Ministry / NADRA Portal
1. Create an account on the provincial or federal portal with your CNIC.
2. Use correct personal and residence information in the online application.
3. Post scanned documents of CNIC, photograph, medical certificate, NOC, and residence.
4. Make the licence payment online through the inbuilt payment gateway.
5. The police and Special Branch verification is done by authorities and the applicants can keep track of the status with the help of a reference number.
6. The licence is issued in digital format or to be collected in the office designated.
Required Documents for NPB License Application
CNIC and Recent Photographs
Valid CNIC is required to have identity verification. The applicants will also be required to provide current passport size photographs (two or four). The photos are put on official record and printed on the licence card.
Proof of Residence and Employment
The applicants should show evidence of residence, which may be a utility bill, rental contract, or a government-provided address verification. In the case of professionals or institutional applicants, documentation of employment or official authorization is also needed to communicate the necessity of having a firearm.
No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Local Authorities
The applicant is confirmed by an NOC of local police or Special Branch that he or she has no criminal record and that he is not a security risk. Instead of a NOC issued by the police, government workers/security personnel may provide an official departmental NOC.
Police Verification Certificate (If Required)
Police verification certificate may be asked to establish a clean criminal record depending on provincial regulations. This becomes particularly significant in the cases of first-time applications or applications directed at upgrading PB. Presentation of this certificate provides adherence to Arms Ordinance 1965 and Arms Rules 2017.
Fees and Renewal Process for NPB License
Federal and Provincial Fee Structure
Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB) licence fees are different depending on the issuing authority. New applications normally cost between PKR 5,000 and 10,000 provincial licences and PKR 20,000 for federal licences, primarily of PB firearms. Provinces NPB licences are usually renewed at PKR 1000-2000, depending on a province and the period of the licence.
Renewal Requirements and Timelines
Periodically, NPB licences are required to be renewed typically within every three to five years. The process of renewals means making new documents, paying renewal fees, and perhaps undergoing a new police check. Online licence holders may renew through provincial portal; offline licence holders may submit documents at the DC office or District Arms Branch.
Penalties for Late Renewal or Incomplete Payment
Not remitting in time or making an incomplete payment can lead to late fees, suspension, or cancelation of the licence. The majority of the provinces provide one month (30 days) to 60 days grace period, after which the licence ceases to exist. To retain legal ownership and avoid the penalty of the Arms Ordinance 1965 and Arms Rules 2017, timely renewal and paying the right amount of fees is necessary.
Rules and Regulations for NPB License Holders
Legal Carrying of Firearms in Public and Private Areas
The holders of NPB licence should have firearms with them in a responsible and legal manner. Firearms must be hidden and unloaded in open places except when in a justified self-defence scenario. Open display of weapons is not allowed even at schools, government offices or even in busy places. Firearms should be carried in a safe manner and they should be held in a secure location to prevent misuse or accidents on the personal property.
Ammunition Limits, Storage Guidelines, and Safety Measures
The licence holders can have restrictive amounts of ammunition as per the licence. Ammunition should be bought by certified dealers and kept in lock-up areas in dry places. Maintenance and safe handling of firearms is also required including not keeping them loaded when not in action and that children or other non-authorised individuals cannot get them.
Sale, Inheritance, or Transfer Rules for NPB Firearms
Transfers, sales and inheritance of an NPB firearm must be officially approved by the appropriate licensing authority. To update ownership records, the applicants should register an NOC and fill an appropriate set of documents. Non-adherence to these steps may lead to fines, imprisonment, or the loss of a licence and makes the Pakistani laws that regulate firearms accountable and obeyed.
Provincial Variations in NPB License Rules
Differences in Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan, and Islamabad
The provinces administer NPB licences by their own regulations. Punjab is using the PALMS system to process online and offline applications; Sindh does it through the provincial Home Department portal. KP has an online system which is police verified and Balochistan mainly uses the manual submission, but there are also some digital services available. In the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), the Ministry of Interior has to deal with every single application, particularly of PB licences.
Provincial Application and Approval Timelines
Approval process varies depending on the province: In Punjab, it will usually take 4-6 weeks, in Sindh and KP it will take between 6-8 weeks, and in Balochistan it can take up to 10 weeks to process the application since it is done manually. ICT application takes an average of 45 weeks to finish with centralised Special Branch verification.
Special Urban Regulations (e.g., Karachi, Lahore)
City centers like Karachi and Lahore are more critical of NPB applications. Firearm ownership requires much justification on the part of the applicant, and the Special Branch tends to perform further background checks. There might also be restrictions on the quantity and kind of firearms and ammunition bought, and on the quantity and type of firearms that must be stored, based on an increased security concern in more populated places.
Liberalization of these provincial differences is imperative to legal and responsible ownership of firearms.
Common Challenges in Getting an NPB License
Reasons for Application Rejection
The rejections can be connected with the missing or wrongful documentation, personal or residence details, or not meeting the eligibility criteria of age and citizenship. Denial can also be caused by submitting of invalid photographs, a lack of medical or character certificates, or bad NOC. To avoid rejection, it is important to ensure that all the documents are correct, complete, and up to date.
Delays in Police Verification or NOC Issuance
Time wastage usually happens in the process of police verification or NOC issuance. The contributing factors may be backlog, incomplete information or slowness in inter-office coordination. Active follow ups with local police or Special Branch officials can be used to hasten the verification process.
Tips for Ensuring a Smooth Application Process
Where possible, use online portals since they are more time-saving and are trackable.
It is important to have all the necessary documents ready before applying, such as CNIC, photographs, residence, and NOC.
Check that makes certain that no mistakes are done that may postpone or negate the application.
Store the copies of submission receipts, reference numbers and tracking ID.
Assist police/ Special Branch checking teams on background checks.
FAQs on Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB) License Pakistan
Can foreigners apply for an NPB license?
Overall, the NPB license is not accessible to foreign nationals in Pakistan. The exceptions are the diplomats, foreign security staff or those people with special authorization by the government. The Ministry of Interior has to approve such applications and closely verify them.
How long does approval take?
Province and type of license vary according to approval times. NBP licenses take 2 to 6 weeks to be carried out in most provinces. The average time required is 810 weeks to fully complete federal PB applications due to additional background checks and verification.
Is PB an upgrade of NPB license holders?
Yes. A NPB license may be transformed into a PB license, however, it will need federal approval, extra documentation, and more stringent verification. Applicants are required to explain their necessity in having a PB firearm and should submit to all federal regulations.
How to succeed in case the license is lost or stolen?
In case the NPB license is lost or stolen, a holder is required to report to the local police and get an FIR. This should be followed by notifying the licensing authority and requesting a duplicate. The firearm should not be carried or used until the time when the replacement arrives to avoid legal penalties.
Conclusion
To obtain an NPB license in Pakistan, the Pakistan Arms Ordinance 1965, the Arms Rules 2017, and the provincial rules must be adhered to strictly. The applicants are expected to meet the eligibility requirements, provide correct documentation, undergo police and background verification, and undertake proper issuance, renewal, or transfer procedures. Being aware of the distinctions in NPB and PB licenses assists in ensuring that the federal laws and provincial laws are followed.
It is necessary to follow legal procedures in order to prevent fines, imprisonment, or seizure of firearms. The personal and common safety is preserved by making the license holders observe carrying, storage, ammunition limit, and safe use rules.
Citizens will be able to possess firearms legally and at the same time engage in responsible and safe gun handling by obeying these rules and through official sources. This leads to general security and illegalness in the society. For more insights about Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB) and other US Tax Laws, visit our website Law Ki Dunya.
