Chairman Pakistan Ordinance Factories (POF) Wah, Omer M Hayat briefed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence Production on Friday that the export orders reached to $81 million in current fiscal year against $25 million in last year. The committee was chaired by Khawaja Sohail Mansoor and received briefing on new commercial products made by POF Wah.
The committee was informed that most of the products are exported to Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Tajikistan and Kenya. Saudi Arabia is a major exporter but POF has no sale agreement with Saudi government. POF is trading through a European company. However, Chairman assured that a direct deal with Saudi Arabia was under discussion. He maintained that Rs 6.5 billion was paid to the government in term of taxes in last five years. POF injected Rs 19 billion in procurement of plant, machinery and raw materials for production from its own earnings.
In his briefing he said that KPK police is procuring uniform, arms and ammunition from POF but no supply order has been received from other provincial governments. He said our target is self reliance, sustained growth and competition in the international market. As many as 24,000 workers are working in different product categories in POF Wah including engineers and scientists.
"We don't have relevant qualified staff but are hiring specialists for specific jobs", he added. POF has major focus on marketing its products and exports. In this regard, he said that a display office is being established in UAE with local partner. POF has launched 72 products in last 10 years without getting single penny from the government. Now it is working on latest assault rifle which replaces G3. POF started production of LSR sniper rifle which only costs $6500 as compared to import price of $12500 per rifle.
The chairman said that POF is working under 1961 Act of Parliament. The board member should be empowered as previous regimes curtailed its powers. POF rules and regulations are 60 years old which are based on 1910 British Company Rules. POF should be treated as corporate entity rather than government organization. He said Wah Brass Mill with a production capacity of 16000 tons will be biggest in Asia and will be completed by next month.
"Our need is 2000 tons and rest will be exported", he said. He said POF demands grant of Rs 1076 million during 2016-17 for rehabilitation of industrial buildings. Rs 1115 million are required for housing units, flats, warehouses in Wah, Sanjwal and Havelian. For marketing, POF needs $50 million and Rs 1 billion for security infrastructure. Member committee Sheryar Afrifi proposed that expertise of tribal arms industry and skilled manpower should be utilized for enhancement of its exports.
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