The Ministry of Defence Production is all set to showcase some of the military equipment manufactured in Pakistan as around 80 foreign delegations fro across the globe have arrived in this metropolis to participate in the 7th International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) commencing from today, Wednesday, at the Karachi Expo Center.
“Some of the major indigenously developed products to be showcased in IDEAS-2012 include Main Battle Tank Al–Khalid, JF–17 Thunder Fighter Aircraft, Jet Trainer Aircraft and UAVs etc,” Commodore Siddiq Akbar, Director (Media) of Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO), Ministry of Defence Production, told a curtain-raiser briefing here on Monday.
He said around 80 delegations would represent different countries from around the globe, of which around 24 delegations are high-level, headed either by the defence ministers, secretaries or service chiefs of the respective countries.
In addition to this, 209 firms would exhibit their products, of which, 135 are foreign and 74 are local. “We have booked a major portion of available space at the Expo Center to accommodate defence companies from Turkey, China, North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Far East,” he added.
Despite the fact that the exhibition is being held after a gap of four years, we have received overwhelming response from the exhibitors as well as delegations from around the globe, said Commodore Akbar.
Brigadier Mazhar, Director Coordination, DEPO and Zulfiqar Ali Mahar, SSP Traffic Central were also present on the occasion.
The exhibition, Akbar said, would be open for officially invited delegations comprising senior officials of foreign countries and trade visitors from abroad and inland. Last Day of the exhibition would be reserved for the students of colleges and universities, he added.
Holding of IDEAS-2012 is a proud moment for all of us and is a clear manifestation of the fact that Pakistan does not lack behind in quality defence production.
Meanwhile, the commodore said, during the five-day event there would be over hundreds of high level meetings planned on the sidelines of the exhibition between foreign delegates, key government officials and participants of the exhibition for forging alliances in defence production.
International Defence Seminar is another important facet of IDEAS, which would be held in a five-star hotel in the evening of 7th Nov. From this time around, another intellectual forum has been introduced in the shape of Side Line Conferences. These Conferences would be held at the venue of IDEAS on 8th Nov. During these conferences, the challenges being faced by the armed forces of Pakistan in particular, and international forces in general, would be highlighted.
“We have made special arrangements to facilitate coverage of the event by local and international media as media’s role in the present era could not be undermined,” he said.
He added that the presence of large number of international media depicts the importance of IDEAS-2012. Media would play a key role in promoting potential of Pakistan Defence Industry on the international horizon.
On the occasion, Zulfiqar Ali Mahar, the SSP Traffic Central also briefed the media about the traffic plan and alternate arrangements for traffic, in order to facilitate public during the rush hours of IDEAS-2012.
