LAHORE: The Punjab Home Department has made digital inventory mandatory for all arms dealers across the province as part of measures to make Punjab “safe and free from illegal weapons”.
According to a notification issued on Thursday, all arms dealers will be required to record their existing stock and details of all purchases and sales on the home department’s online portal. The department has introduced an inventory module for holders of Business Arms Licences (BAL) under which complete digital records of firearms and ammunition held by each dealer, as well as their purchase and sale transactions, will be maintained.
The deadline for registering existing stock and purchase and sale records has been set for Aug 26, 2026. The home department has directed all arms dealers to ensure complete registration of their existing inventory by the stipulated deadline. It has also provided deputy commissioners with details of arms dealers operating in their respective districts. The deputy commissioners have been directed to ensure that all dealers register their existing stock on the online portal and submit compliance reports to the home department after updating the records.
The notification warned that legal action would be taken against dealers who failed to upload their inventory. Their licences could be suspended, businesses sealed and fines imposed for non-compliance.
The home department is also organising a training workshop on the “Punjab Arms Licence Inventory Module” at the Punjab Forensic Science Authority (PFSA) Auditorium on Aug 24. Online arrangements have also been made at deputy commissioners’ offices across Punjab, enabling arms dealers to participate in the workshop remotely. The workshop will provide dealers with guidance on using the online portal and inventory module and allow them to raise questions and concerns regarding the new system.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026