LAHORE: The Punjab Home Department has made digital inventory registration mandatory for all licensed arms dealers across the province, giving dealers until August 26, 2026 to upload details of their existing firearms, ammunition and transaction records.
The move is part of the provincial government’s efforts to strengthen monitoring of the licensed arms trade and curb the circulation of illegal weapons.
Dealers Must Upload Complete Stock Details
Under the new system, holders of Business Arms Licences (BAL) are required to record their complete existing inventory through the Punjab Arms Licence online portal.
Dealers must also enter details of their purchases and sales, creating a centralised digital record of firearms and ammunition held by each licensed dealer across the province.
The department has directed deputy commissioners across Punjab to facilitate the process and ensure that dealers operating in their respective districts complete the registration.
Non-Compliance Could Lead to Action
Authorities have warned that dealers who fail to upload their inventory within the stipulated deadline could face legal consequences.
Possible measures include suspension of arms licences, sealing of businesses and financial penalties, depending on the nature of the violation.
Deputy commissioners have also been tasked with submitting compliance reports to the Home Department after dealers update their records.
Training Held to Facilitate Dealers
To help dealers understand the new digital system, the Punjab Home Department organised a training workshop on the Punjab Arms Licence Inventory Module.
More than 350 arms dealers participated in the training, with officials explaining the registration process and providing guidance on entering inventory and transaction data. NADRA officials also provided technical assistance during the session.
Online participation arrangements were also made through deputy commissioners’ offices in districts across Punjab.
Digital Database to Strengthen Arms Monitoring
The new system is expected to provide authorities with a province-wide digital record of weapons and ammunition held by licensed dealers, along with details of their purchase and sale transactions.
Officials say the digitisation effort will improve oversight of the legal arms trade and help authorities identify discrepancies more effectively.
The initiative marks another step toward the digital monitoring of regulated businesses in Punjab, as authorities seek to strengthen record-keeping, enforcement and accountability across the province.
