Darra arms dealers want 'export ban' lifted.

KOHAT -- Weapon makers in the gun-manufacturing town of Darra Adamkhel here have called for lifting a 'ban' on arms exports to help them salvage their business damaged by militancy and 'official restrictions'.

It is to be mentioned here that between 400 to 700 guns were produced daily by about 2,500 workers before the gun production was halted.

Shahid Afridi, an arms dealer, told Dawn on Wednesday they had consignments ready for exports to different countries, but were waiting for an NOC from the authorities.

Bilal Afridi, another dealer, demanded the local market should be declared a special arms industry, and that a showroom should also be set up for foreigners.

The artisans said they had borne huge losses during militancy and counter-insurgency operations, and that revival of exports could bring prosperity to the town.

'We suffered dearly when former military ruler late Gen retired Pervez Musharraf slapped a ban on exports, and attacks by banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan militants, leading to shutting down of business,' Shahid Afridi said.

A weapons dealer, Haji Abdul Ghafoor, said their business had been hit when militants occupied their area and started killing elders.

He said they exported 12-bore guns to England for hunting purposes, but a strict ban had been imposed by the government.

Azam Khan, a local administration official, told Dawn...