KARACHI, Jan 11: A number of local companies have initiated bulletproofing of passenger vehicles in view of deteriorating law and order situation in the country.

With many industrialists, corporate sector people, politicians and government officials steadily opting for bulletproofing their vehicles in view of rising insecurity, the business of armouring is all set to boom.

Talking to Dawn, Omar Jibran Engineering Industries GM (Technical) Mansoor Ahmed said that his company had armoured 75-80 passenger vehicles including 4X4 and SUVs from 2009 to 2012 as per international standards.

He added the company had established armouring division for passenger vehicles and has been producing plastic and sheet metal parts for local vehicle manufacturers in the country for decades.

He added that the company is procuring materials UAE, USA, South America and Australia for bulletproofing vehicles.

“There is a huge demand from customers to armour their vehicles but vehicle owners need to take NOC from the Interior Ministry and without NOC the company does not armour the vehicle. We are now already turning four to five high engine power vehicles into bulletproof besides securing orders for more 10-15 vehicles,” he said.

Giving an example, he said that a car can be armored at a cost of Rs2.5 to three million which include floor tops, doors, pillars, glasses, fuel tank, front and back portions.

If a person wants to make his vehicle bulletproof from abroad then it will cost over Rs10 million which includes shipment and arrival expenses of vehicles besides other taxes, he added.