TAXILA: Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif inaugurated on Tuesday a new ammunition production plant as part of the expansion plan of Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF).

The army chief was briefed by POF chief Lt Gen Omar Mahmood Hayat on the performance of the industrial complex and its future expansion plans.

Gen Sharif later visited the factories to see the progress of envisaged modernisation and capacity enhancement of POF and addressed its management and staff.

He praised POF for its contribution to the development of indigenous weaponry and efforts to ensure that the requirement of arms and ammunition was met with perfection because this was highly supportive in the Zarb-i-Azb operation.

He said POF was a premier defence industry of the country, making invaluable contributions to sustain combat worthiness of the armed forces.

Appreciating the POF management for their dedication in going a way beyond meeting the set targets, the COAS stressed the need for further technological upgradation to optimise the output, so that “we become fully self-reliant in arms and ammunition needs of paramilitary and law-enforcement agencies”.

Noticing the increased interest of other countries and the growing export potential due to the newly attained quality standards, he directed the POF to explore newer markets and focus on increasing exports and bring the much-needed foreign exchange for the country.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2016