Sports gun importers and exporters have urged the government to review its decision to impose ban on commercial import of air guns and pistols and allow sports businessmen to import hi-tech air guns/pistols with accessories.
According to Usman J. Malik of Baroda Sports Pakistan, the federal minister of Commerce while announcing Trade Policy for 2004-05 declared lifting of ban on commercial import of non-prohibited bore (NPB) arms and ammunition.
The minister also announced that the new trade policy is growth oriented and will help in removing prohibition and restriction on import and export, to facilitate the businessmen. But despite the fact that air guns/pistols fall in the category of NPB weapons, clearance of which was obtained by Baroda Sports from the Ministry of Interior, our request has been turned down by the Ministry of Commerce. It gave the reasons that such arms have been placed in banned items list.
Baroda Sports has also written a letter to the Ministry of Commerce urging the government to meet its commitment made in the Trade Policy and review its decision.
This, it added, will also help increase the government revenue in shape of custom duties, sales tax and income tax and also open up opportunities of employment for some youth.