LAHORE: Deputy Inspector General of Police (Investigation) Lahore, Syed Zeeshan Haider, has issued comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Jewellers and Sarafa (gold traders) to regulate business transactions and prevent undue harassment of legitimate traders. The SOPs were issued on the request of Chairman, Lahore Division Sarafa and Jewellers Association, Muhammad Ahmad. In this regard, the DIG Investigation has directed all divisional Superintendents of Police (SPs) to strictly instruct their subordinate investigating officers not to harass or unnecessarily involve any registered Jewellers or Sarafa Association member in investigations unless credible and concrete evidence regarding the purchase of stolen property is available on record. According to the SOPs, if inspection of a jeweller’s CCTV footage or manual business records is required, the process will be carried out only in the presence of an authorized representative of the Sarafa and Jewellers Association. In cases where an entry in the jewellery purchase register appears suspicious or the seller’s details are incomplete, the purchase register, jewellery, and related receipts may be taken into possession strictly in the presence of association office-bearers. A seizure memo will be prepared with video recording, duly signed by the concerned jeweller and association representatives as witnesses. The DIG Investigation categorically stated that no member of any sarafa market would be illegally or unjustifiably harassed. Any investigating officer found misusing authority or violating SOPs will face strict departmental action, said a release issued by the Lahore Division Sarafa and Jewellers Association. Additionally, DIG Syed Zeeshan Haider has issued written directions to the Chairman of the Lahore Division Sarafa and Jewellers Association to ensure that all affiliated members’ strictly record complete particulars of sellers or customers at the time of purchasing gold or jewellery. This includes obtaining a copy of the seller’s CNIC, signatures of an identifier, maintaining entries in the association-issued jewellery purchase register, and pasting the seller’s photograph with the relevant details to facilitate transparency during any future inquiry. Jewellers have also been warned against purchasing stolen or suspicious property, failing which strict legal action may be initiated. To address and clarify any operational issues, DSP Legal Javed Dogar has been appointed as the focal person. Furthermore, all divisional SPs have been directed to ensure that investigating officers fully comply with these SOPs before arresting or involving any sarafa market member in an investigation. Meanwhile, Patron-in-Chief Seth Muhammad Arshad, Chairman Muhammad Ahmad, Senior Vice Chairman Dilawar Ali, President Tariq Mahmood, Senior Vice President Muhammad Akmal, General Secretary Rana Muzaffar Ali, Vice President Rana Fida Hussain, along with other office-bearers and members of the Lahore Division Sarafa and Jewellers Association, welcomed the issuance of the SOPs. They stated that this initiative would help reduce mistrust between the police and the sarafa community and contribute towards eliminating illegal middlemen and tout mafia. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026