RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday visited the Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) in Wah where a briefing was given to him on the performance and growth of the organisation, its research and development projects, future vision and implementation strategy.

The COAS inaugurated multiple facilities including the Urea Formaldehyde Moulding Compound (UFMC) plant, station headquarters building and the POF colony at Sanjwal which would accommodate more than 11,000 families, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release said.

The UFMC plant is one of the POF’s many production facilities that will not only cater for the chemical’s demand in the defence field but also in the industrial sector of the country.

Addressing the officers and workers, the army chief appreciated their contributions by making the POF the prime defence industry of Pakistan. He emphasised the need for technological upgradation and indigenisation to attain self-reliance in the field of defence production.

Praising the POF’s contributions over the years towards national economy, he stressed the need for improving the business model and importance of excellence in core businesses to get compatible with the contemporary challenges.

Retired Lt Gen Ijaz Chaudhry, secretary of the ministry of defence production, and POF (Wah) chairman Lt Gen Umar Farooq Durrani and other senior civil and military officers were present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2017