Owning a firearm legally in Pakistan requires a valid arms licence, and the process for obtaining one has moved substantially online in recent years. This article gives a general overview; it is not legal advice, and requirements can change, so always confirm current procedure with the relevant authority.
Provincial licensing (PALMS)
Punjab, and other provinces with similar systems, issue arms licences through the Punjab Arms Licence Management System (PALMS) or their provincial equivalent. Applicants typically submit personal details, purpose of the licence, and supporting documents through the portal, followed by police verification.
NADRA’s role
NADRA (the National Database and Registration Authority) supports identity verification for many licensing systems, and in some cases offers its own arms licence facilitation services. Confirm with your provincial home department which system currently applies to you.
What the process generally involves
- Submitting an application with identity and address proof
- Stating a valid purpose (self-defence, sport shooting, hunting, etc.)
- Police character and background verification
- Payment of the prescribed fee
- Issuance of a licence specifying permitted firearm type and category
Why this matters when buying
A supplier handling regulated products responsibly will always ask to see and verify your licence before completing any transaction, and will not process a sale for someone who cannot demonstrate eligibility. This protects both the buyer and the seller, and it is why ARMSTEC reviews every regulated-product request manually rather than allowing automated checkout.
Read more on our Licensing Guide and Compliance pages.