Renew an Islamabad Arms Licence: Papers, Grace Period and Penalty

To renew an Islamabad arms licence, go in person to the Citizen Facilitation Center (CFC) at the ICT Administration Complex, G-11/4, with your CNIC, your original arms card and an application addressed to the Deputy Commissioner. Renew within three months of expiry to avoid a penalty. A licence left unrenewed for five years is cancelled.

That last rule is the one that catches people. A licence card sits in a drawer, the expiry date passes, and nobody notices until years later. By then the ICT Administration will not renew it at all. We read both of the Islamabad administration's own pages on 1 October 2026, and this is what they say, including the places where they disagree with each other.

One thing first. This route is only for a licence issued by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Islamabad. If your licence came from a province or another office, renew it where it was issued. Punjab, for example, is moving its card into the Pak ID wallet, and KP and Sindh have their own rules, which we set out for Sindh and KP arms licences.

Renewal is open, but new Islamabad licences are banned

The Islamabad CFC is still renewing existing licences. It is not taking new applications. Its official site says a ban has been placed on issuing new licences to the general public, so only post licence work is open: renewal, change of weapon, change of bore and duplicates.

The CFC site puts it plainly. An arms licence is issued "at the discretion of the Deputy Commissioner, ICT", and a citizen cannot claim one as a legal right. The ICT Administration's main website still has a "New Arms License" page with a list of papers. We read that as an old page. The CFC, which runs the counter, says it is not accepting new applications. Believe the counter.

The officer who deals with arms licences is the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), according to the ICT page.

Renew within three months of expiry to avoid a penalty

You can only renew after your licence has expired. You then have a three month grace period with no penalty. After that, a one time penalty equal to one year's tax applies. After one full year, you need the competent authority's approval, and more penalty can follow.

Here is the full timeline as the CFC and ICT pages set it out:

Neither page publishes the rupee amount of the yearly tax. The counter tells you the figure and gives you a payment receipt. Keep that receipt safe, because you need the original to collect the card.

Papers you need for an Islamabad arms licence renewal

You need three things: a copy of your CNIC, your original licence card, and a written application addressed to the Deputy Commissioner or Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), Islamabad. Bring the original CNIC too, because you must appear yourself for fingerprints and a live photo.

• CNIC. The CFC asks for a copy. The ICT page says original. Carry both.
• Original arms card. Not a photocopy. You hand it in.
• Application. A short letter to the Deputy Commissioner or ADC (General) asking for renewal, with your licence number, name, CNIC number and phone number.

Nobody can renew on your behalf. Both pages say the licence holder must come in person, because the CFC takes your biometrics and a fresh photograph at the counter.

How to renew at the CFC, step by step

Renewal takes two visits. On the first, you give your papers, fingerprints and photo and get a receipt. On the second, about five working days later, you bring the original payment receipt and collect the printed card.

1. Check the expiry date on your card. If it has not expired yet, wait. If it expired more than three months ago, expect the penalty.
2. Write the application to the Deputy Commissioner or ADC (General), Islamabad.
3. Go to the CFC at G-11/4. Take a token from the queue machine and wait for your number.
4. Submit your papers at the counter. Give fingerprints and sit for a live photo. You get a receipt and a date to come back.
5. Pay the fee as the counter tells you, and keep the original payment receipt.
6. Return after about five working days. Take a token again, show the original receipt, check the details on screen, and collect the new card.

The two official pages do not agree on the waiting time. The ICT page says the renewed card is delivered within seven working days, and in the same box says four to five working days. The CFC site says come back after five working days. Plan for a week.

Office address, timings and helpline

The Arms Branch sits in the ICT Administration Complex, G-11/4, Mauve Area, Islamabad. The ICT page lists Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm, with a Friday break from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. The CFC helplines are 051-8899611 and 051-8899622.

Card delivery has slightly different hours. The ICT page on computerised licences gives delivery times of 9 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday. Call before a Saturday trip, because the main page does not list Saturday at all.

Lost card, new weapon or a change of bore

A lost card needs a police report first. The CFC asks for a copy of the FIR, your CNIC copy and an application to the Deputy Commissioner. A change of weapon or bore needs the old weapon's sale receipt from a registered arms dealer.

For a lost card, report the loss to the police before you go. Islamabad Police lets you file a complaint online, and you can check the FIR online once it is registered. Then expect three visits: papers, then fingerprints and fee, then collection.

For a new weapon, the CFC says to buy only from a registered arms dealer in Islamabad or from Wah Industries. A weapon bought in another district needs a verification stamp on the sale invoice from that district's Deputy Commissioner.

Common questions

Can I renew my Islamabad arms licence online?

No. Both official pages say you must appear in person at the CFC in G-11/4 for fingerprints and a live photo. Nobody else can do it for you.

What happens if my licence expired more than five years ago?

The ICT Administration says a licence not renewed for five years stands cancelled and will not be renewed.

Is there a penalty for late renewal?

Not in the first three months after expiry. After that, a one time penalty of one year's tax applies. After a year, you also need the competent authority's approval.

Can I apply for a new arms licence in Islamabad?

Not now. The CFC says new licences for the general public are banned and it is not taking new applications.

How long does Islamabad arms licence renewal take?

About five working days between your two visits, according to the CFC. The ICT page mentions both four to five days and seven days, so plan for a week.

What is the fee for renewal?

Neither official page publishes the amount. The counter tells you the yearly tax due and gives you a receipt. Keep the original receipt, because you need it to collect the card.

How we verified this

What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.

Last checked on 1 October 2026. We read the ICT Administration's Renewal of Arms License page, its New Arms License and Computerization of Arms License pages, and the arms licence and about pages of the Citizen Facilitation Center, which the ICT Administration's homepage links to. The grace period, penalty, ban on new licences, papers and helplines come from those pages. Neither publishes the renewal tax in rupees, so we have not stated one. The two pages disagree on processing time, and we have said so above.