Islamabad, Oct. 24 (IANS): In a clear manifestation of politicians' obsession for guns, dozens of Pakistan lawmakers have a wide array of arms in their arsenals, including military-grade deadly weapons designed to inflict maximum damages.
As per the media reports, former President Asif Ali Zardari owns over 100 such weapons.
According to 2018 assets declaration by lawmakers, many possessed multiple prohibited and non-prohibited weapons ranging from German G-3 battle rifles and MP-5 submachine guns to Russian AK-47 commonly known as Kalashnikov, shotguns of different calibres, Austrian Glock and Russian Makarov pistols.
In all, 99 legislators declared their weapons, though most provided only sketchy details. Many have not mentioned the number and type of weapons they owned. Several legislators did not mention the cost, claiming them as gifts or inherited.
Zardari, elected to the National Assembly from the Shaheed Benazirabad constituency, declared the value of unspecified type and number of weapons he possessed at Rs 16.60 million. He is estimated to own over 100 weapons.
A former lawmaker from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa told Dawn what had been declared by the elected representatives was just a tip of the iceberg. "Possessing weapons is part of culture in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. I have dozens of weapons, but have never declared them in my statements of assets," he said.
Besides, many consider it necessary for their protection considering the level of threat and the security situation in different areas, he added.
