Imran Khan was gifted a gold-plated Kalashnikov rifle and bullets by the Governor of Tabuk Province, Saudi Arabia, Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz during a meeting at the Pakistani Prime Minister’s office. Kalashnikov rifles are popularly known as AK rifles, like AK-47, AK-56 etc.
Prince Fahad also met with Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak and Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua during his visit to Islamabad.
During Khan’s visit to Saudi Arabia last year, Mohammad Bin Salman, the Crown Prince, gifted a wrist watch to the prime minister which he deposited into the Toshakhana.
Khan had received the Saudi Prince on Monday. They are said to have discussed matters of ‘mutual interest’ and regional security situations.
Ironically, Kalashnikovs are the weapon of choice for Islamic terrorists. In 2015, more attacks were carried out with Kalashnikov-type assault rifles than any other device in Europe. AK-47 is the most famous of the Kalashnikov series of rifles, preferred by terrorists and many armed forces for its excellent performance in varied environments.
The reports didn’t mention whether the gold-plated rifle gifted to the Pakistan PM is a functional rifle or a replica. Gold plated firearms are usually made as collector’s items, and often used as gifts.
Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussain had a huge collection of gold plated guns, which were discovered by American forces after the demise of the ruler. These included a Tabuk rifle, which is the Iraqi version of AK-47, along with shotguns and handguns with gold plating or other types of gold work.