MQM submits bill seeking de-weaponisation of entire Pakistan

Islamabad, Jan 17(ANI): The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has tabled a bill in Pakistan's National Assembly, calling for de-weaponisation of the entire country.

The De-weaponization Bill 2011 seeks to curb the illegal production, trade and use of arms in Pakistan, and suggests a minimum of seven years of imprisonment and a 100-million-rupee fine for the violator.

Addressing a news conference after submitting the bill on Monday, MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar said illegal weapons had become a serious threat to the national security, and urged parliament to review the laws pertaining to the production, distribution and use of weapons in the country.

"We have not only proposed a solution of this issue, but also have underlined practical steps needed to be taken in this regard," The Nation quoted Sattar, as saying.

"Kidnapping for ransom and increasing incidents of murders and other crimes are becoming an identity of Pakistan", he added.

The MQM leader also said that such incidents were turning into guerrilla wars in some parts of the country. (ANI)