The hunting equipment industry is mainly clustered in Wazirabad. The cutlery cluster of Wazirabad is recognized all over the world for its traditional designs, unique products, high quality, hand-made products such as hunting knives, pocket knives, daggers, swords, axes, military knives, table cutlery, household and light industrial products. The sector comprises over 400 SMEs, of which 150 are cutlery manufacturers and the remaining 250 is involved in the manufacturing of hunting equipment and swords. Out of these 110 are members of the Cutlery Association of Pakistan.
Most of the larger and medium sized firms are exporting, however, the smaller units usually supply to commercial exporters or local wholesalers. The main raw material used in the production is ‘steel’. A recent innovation in the cluster is the development of Damascus steel which is used for the manufacturing of hunting knives.
Out of the total production, approximately 95% of swords and hunting equipment is exported, whereas, only 25% of the tableware cutlery is exported. Exports of various cutlery articles from Wazirabad started in 1952. There are about 25,000 persons employed in this sector directly and indirectly. The total production of this area is 5000 pcs per day approximately. This is the main source of income for local people of this region.
The cutlery export industry has a lot of potential to develop and provide jobs to millions of unemployed people and contribute a larger share to economic growth. This sector is blessed with number of positive attributes like skilled labor, foreign exposure, training centers, and raw material and export friendly government policies. There is a wide untapped foreign market like Russia, Australia, Africa and South America.