Antiquity Act 1975 is discouraging national export of old hunting, sporting arms and replicas of qualified old weapons and arms depriving the country of a handsome amount of foreign exchange.
The Antiquity Act 1975 banned the export of more than 75 years old replicas of the old weapons including swords, guns and other items used in the shooting competitions in different parts of the world.
"We have a lot of potential of manufacturing replicas of the ancient arms and weapons. But, Antiquity Act 1975 is creating hurdle in the export of such items," Brigadier Naveed Rahman (Retd), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Pakistan Hunting and Sporting Arms Development Company (PHSADC) told Business Recorder. He said that no law in the world restricts the export of such goods except in our country.
He said that Pakistan has huge potential for the manufacturing of the replicas of some old items. He said that the craftsmen in different parts of the country have expertise in the art. However, certain laws of the country are not allowing them to do so. The law, he said discouraging the export and depriving the country of foreign exchange.
The country, COO PHSADC said could earn a more than $1 billion by exporting replicas manufactured in Taxila and Darra Adamkhel, but our national laws discouraging. The government of Pakistan, he said had established the company to help register the business of such craftsmen and brought them to the stream of legal business.
The company, he said would work to explore market for hunting and sporting arms. The company is also tasked to facilitate the industry to upgrade technology levels and develop a skilled workforce for the country.
The company, he said would also propose amendments in the government laws pertaining to manufacturing, transportation and export of hunting, sporting arms and equipment. The special focus of the company is to prepare and implement strategy for increase in the national export from Pakistan.