PHSADC To Hold 4th Target & Outdoor Shooting Sports Show From Sep 28 To 30

Pakistan Hunting and Sporting Arms Development Company (PHSADC) is holding 4th Target and Outdoor Shooting Sports (TOSS) Show in Islamabad on September 28 to 30, next.

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Sep, 2018 ) :Pakistan Hunting and Sporting Arms Development Company (PHSADC) is holding 4th Target and Outdoor Shooting Sports (TOSS) Show in Islamabad on September 28 to 30, next.

After successful organization of three exhibitions (TOSS Show 2011, 12 and 2015), we have decided to hold the fourth show in September 2018, said Zahidullah Shinwari, Chairman PHSADC while addressing a press briefing here on Wednesday.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) PHSADC, Tahir Khan was also present during the press conference held at Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The objective of the TOSS show is to highlight the trade potential of the hunting & sporting arms its allied products manufacturing industry and make it a corner stone in foreign exchange earnings, Zahid told newsmen.

He said Khyber Pakhtukhwa especially Peshawar and Darra Adam Khel have a century long rich heritage of manufacturing hunting and sporting arms. Due to a large and recognized world market for hunting and sporting arms, this industry has become a hub for hunting and sporting Arms.

Chairman PHSADC said there is a great potential of rapidly growing legitimate trade of Hunting and Sporting Arms in the world market.

In order to explore this potential and become a player in world exports of hunting and sporting arms, government has set up Pakistan Hunting and Sporting Arms Development Company for this purpose, Zahid added.

Among the key and basic purpose of PHSADC is to develop and promote hunting and sporting arms and accessories in the country to bring competitiveness in the sector and to improve quality of their products to complete the international standards.

Zahid Shinwari disclosed that the Peshawar cluster of arms manufacturers comprises of 66 registered manufacturing SMEs, mostly located at Kohat road Peshawar. These units employ nearly 5000 direct work force. In the Darra Adam Khel cluster 80 percent of the total population is employed in this sector, he added.

Different hunting and sporting arms are manufactured in both of these clusters that include pistol, 12 bore shot guns, pump action guns, rifle and vintage weapons.

The price difference between local and foreign made arms is so vast that the replica of Taurus pistol of Brazil which is available in Pakistan at a price of Rs. 70,000 is being made at a market price of Rs. 12 to 13,000.

The ample proof of the successful interventions of the company was receiving of export orders from buyers in the United States, Europe and Africa, Zahid claimed.

The products made in Pakistan have achieved BATF certification for exporting the products to the USA. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF) is a Federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice.

Chairman PHSADC, Zahidullah Shinwari said that the products of the local arms manufacturing units have big demands in various countries of the world, but due to lack of clear policy at government level, the company is facing hurdles to streamline it more professionally.

In this regard, he added, if government show and extend support, the company is capable to turn this industry into export oriented industry and can earn huge foreign exchange and a positive recognition in the international market.

Zahid further told that due to good quality of the locally manufactured arms, the United States and other developed countries of the world have shown keen interest in our products. He further stressed that Pakistan is spending a huge amount on importation of small arms every year and we would request government to adopt import substitution policy and impose ban on import of small arms.

Imposition of ban on small arms will not only save the valuable foreign exchange but will also contribute in the regularization of this sector which will ultimately lead to minimizing the smuggling and help to ensure the end user traceability of the production of the sector which is a long lasting issue of the law enforcement agencies and other concerned quarters.

Favorable business policies will boost the industrial activities which will subsequently create more jobs opportunities in the less developed areas of the country, he added.

In response to a question, Chairman PHSADC expressed the hope that TOSS show will attract manufacturers, traders, dealers and consumers of this sector from all over Pakistan.

TOSS show will also attract a large number of hunting, shooting and outdoor enthusiasts as a variety of products including hunting, sporting arms, replica vintage weapons, outdoor sports, hunting apparels, knives, daggers, swords and allied accessories would be at display under one roof, said CEO PHSADC, Tahir Khan.

He also said that 70 plus craftsman from all across the countrywill display products. The main sponsors of this event are Toyota Indus Motorsand FATA Development Authority (FDA).