MOHAMMAD JAMIL KHAN

The government has decided to remove lethal weapons from the hands of regular police personnel, a move that has sparked concern among former officials and expert who warn that disarming the force without adequate alternatives could undermine its ability to maintain order and respond to armed threats.

Nurul Huda, a former inspector general of police, said that while reducing reliance on deadly firearms is a welcome goal, a blanket disarmament may not be practical.

“If by ‘lethal weapons’ we mean weapons capable of causing death, then technically all weapons fall under that category,” he told The Daily Star yesterday.

“If the police are not equipped with weapons, how are they supposed to exercise the necessary application of force—one of the core components of their lawful authority?”

Nurul Huda noted that effective supervision and control are crucial for responsible use.

“Perhaps the use of lethal weapons by a civil force like the police can be gradually minimised and limited to specific situations.

“But without proper training frameworks, implementing a disarmament policy would face serious

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