KARACHI – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the ninth International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2016 being held at Expo Centre in Karachi from Tuesday.
The Prime Minister was welcomed at the venue by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah and IG Sindh also accompanied the prime minister.
The PM jointly inaugurated the exhibition, which is set to run from Nov 22-25, alongside Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman.
IDEAS is a biennially held defence exhibition which brings together the defence industry’s players across the globe to showcase latest technological innovations.
About 90 delegations from 43 countries are expected to attend the exhibition and seminar, including 30 high-level teams comprising defence ministers, defence secretaries and services chiefs.
Although Chinese and Turkish defence industries will have a significant presence, Russia is participating in the event this time in a big way.
Some of the major indigenously developed products to be showcased at the event include battle tank Al-Khalid, JF-17 Thunder, Super Mushshak and K-8 aircraft, Fast Attack Craft Missile boats, UAVs, armoured personnel carriers and premium grade military hardware.
The defence industries of Turkey, China, Russia, North America, South America, Europe and Asia will have a significant presence at the exhibition.
An opening speaker at the event said there are 418 firms from 34 countries participating, out of which 157 are Pakistani firms.
“This time 9 more countries are visiting and participating in IDEAS. These include Luxembourg, Denmark, Belarus, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Belgium, Romania and Nigeria.”
Addressing the inauguration ceremony at IDEAS 2016, the PM said he was pleased to be attending the exhibition and welcomed the foreign delegations attending the expo.
PM Nawaz said the country’s defence products are of advanced quality and lauded the efforts of the Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) in strengthening public-private partnership in defence production.
“Today, Pakistan presents vast opportunities for foreign investment, joint agreements and trade. The government is determined to further strengthen the economy,” he added.
He further said that Pakistan is against arms race in the region.
Another important feature of the IDEAS 2016 is the International Defence Seminar which will be held on Tuesday evening at a hotel here.
The occasion will be graced by President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain.
Traffic plan
The office of deputy inspector general police (traffic) had issued detailed instructions for the regulation of traffic during the exhibition.
All traffic from Karachi airport would be shifted to Tipu Sultan through Baloch Colony. However, University Road would be open for traffic.
The plan also includes diverting the traffic from Liaquatabad No.10 to Shahrah-e-Pakistan.
Shah Salman Road from Hasan Square to National Stadium would be close for routine traffic. The citizens would not be able to use the Karsaz flyover to reach Stadium Road.
