'Every citizen needs arms,' says Pakistan's defense chief over security situation

KARACHI, Pakistan

Pakistan's defense minister said "every citizen" needs arms due to a "deteriorating" security situation in several parts of the country.

Khawaja Asif made these remarks while endorsing a demand from several lawmakers during a Parliamentary session in the capital Islamabad on Monday for the issuance of arms licenses.

The demand came on the heels of a surge in terrorist attacks and incidents of kidnap for ransom and street crimes in several parts of the South Asian country.

According to Asif, every citizen wants to keep arms for his "protection and security" due to poor law and order and terrorism.

In May, the security forces launched a large-scale operation against organized criminal gangs operating along the lawless bordering areas of southern Sindh, northeastern Punjab, and southwestern Balochistan provinces.

However, the three-month-long operation has failed to dismantle the gangs.

Asif also blasted the Punjab government for its failure to restore law and order in the bordering areas.

Several clips doing rounds on social media platforms show heavily-armed bandits beating up abductees and demanding heavy ransoms for their release.

Also, Pakistan has witnessed a steady increase in militant attacks in the first six months of the current year, claiming the lives of 389 people, including soldiers, across the South Asian nation.

Around 271 attacks have occurred during this period.