House approves hikes in gun licence fees

Higher fees for a number of firearms licences were yesterday approved by the National Assembly despite concerns by the opposition PPP/C that poor farmers will be affected and the smuggling of weapons will rise.

PPP/C MP Clement Rohee charged that an increase in the cost of firearm licences could see a rise in the number of illegal firearms. His objections, however, were not sufficient to stop the passage of the Firearms Amendment Bill 2016 by the government,