Defence production: Senate panel advocates greater private participation

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Defence Production on Wednesday called for greater private-sector participation in defence manufacturing to conserve foreign exchange and boost exports, with the Chairman assuring full parliamentary support to fully harness Pakistan’s armament export potential for sustainable economic growth.

The committee visited Pakistan Ordnance Factories’ (POF), the visit was led by Chairman Senator Mohammed Abdul Qadir.

The committee urged the Ministry of Defence Production to explore commercialisation of POF products in local and international markets, citing the profitability of the global arms industry and the need to maximise Pakistan’s export potential.

The parliamentary body received a comprehensive briefing on the organisation’s performance, ongoing projects, Vision 2025 strategic objectives, BMR (Balancing, Modernisation and Replacement) plan, and export earnings over the past five years.

Officials briefed the Committee that POF, established in 1951 to meet the ammunition requirements of Pakistan’s armed forces, has significantly enhanced its operational capabilities over the decades and is currently exporting ammunition to more than 40 countries. The organisation is headed by a serving Lieutenant General of the Pakistan Army and supplies armaments to the armed forces on a cost-to-cost basis.

The Committee was informed that POF operates through multiple subsidiaries providing operational equipment and specialised gadgetry to the armed forces at economical rates, while several major projects are in the pipeline to further enhance its production capacity and operational capabilities.

While appreciating POF’s self-reliance initiatives and innovative posture in defence production, the Committee underscored the importance of tapping commercial opportunities. The Chairman directed the ministry to develop strategies for marketing POF products more aggressively, both domestically and internationally, to strengthen export earnings and contribute to national economic growth.

The Committee was also briefed on POF’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, including partnerships with leading engineering universities, operation of a dedicated training institute, and contributions in education, health, sports, and environmental sustainability. Emphasis was placed on talent development, including training of youth in various sports disciplines.

Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri stressed the need to extend similar CSR initiatives to Balochistan and other underdeveloped regions to promote local talent and provide opportunities to deserving youth.

During the visit, Committee members toured several production units and observed manufacturing processes firsthand. Expressing satisfaction over the overall performance, the Committee commended the professionalism, dedication, and technical capabilities of POF’s management and workforce.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026