–President says ‘instability in regions is not the only paradigm we should be looking at’, praises Pakistan Army’s valour and sacrifices
–Inaugurates four-day IDEAS 2018 at Karachi Expo Centre
KARACHI: President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday said that Pakistan’s weapons are for “peaceful intent” and the country looks forward to resolution of all issues in an amicable manner.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the 10th International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS 2018) at Karachi’s Expo Centre as chief guest, Dr Alvi said: “War is no option. We have handled our borders strongly and sent a strong message to our neighbours.” He added that “we have handled terrorism” and assured that all steps will be taken for “the country’s defence”.
The four-day defence exhibition is being attended by 262 high-level delegations from 51 countries.
The president further said, “Our weapons are for peaceful intent,” and stressed that “instability in regions is not the only paradigm we should be looking at”.
Appreciating the sacrifices of Pakistan Army in the fight against terrorism, the president said, “Pakistan Army has an important role in the elimination of terrorism and is a strong wall against terrorists.”
“Pakistan Army is one of the most experienced forces in the world in the war against terror and we are proud of our martyrs,” he added.
He further recalled that there was a time when Pakistan was home to 3.5 million refugees who had been displaced after the Afghan war. “We owed it to our brothers that they should be here and they’re still here, but the world has forgotten about the contribution of Pakistan.”
He said that Pakistan does not like wars since they bring nothing but “hunger, lack of nutrition and misery”.
“We are there to defend our country and that is what IDEAS is all about,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s weapons will be “for defence, never for offence”.
He also pointed out that with a population of 200 million people, “Pakistan is struggling hard, trying to secure its economy and to forge itself into Naya Pakistan, which the country deserves”.
The president explained that the security paradigm, which is changing and going beyond just equipment and defence, should be understood in the context of Pakistan
“As far as Pakistan is concerned, we should ensure the fact — and we have — that there should be food security and economic security.”
He said that security could not be guaranteed unless a country is economically on “solid ground” and “not looking to others for help”, adding that is the responsibility of the government to ensure that Pakistan is a “stable economic state”.
Organised under the aegis of Defence Export Promotion Organisation (DEPO), the IDEAS 2018 brings together defence industry players from different parts of the world.
Earlier, during a media briefing, DEPO Media Director Commodore Tariq Javed said, “There will be 522 exhibitors from 50 countries this year.”
Besides, Pakistan itself other major exporters of defence technology including China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine, USA will have their exclusive country pavilions.
The guest countries are expected to showcase their latest technological innovations while a large number of senior civil and military delegations and trade visitors from across the globe will attend the event.
The event will encompass a series of activities ranging from world’s advanced defence technology demonstrations, an international seminar, three conferences by the Pakistan armed forces, the IDEAS Karachi Show to a counter-terrorism demonstration.
Networking and business expansions through business to business (B2B) and business to government (B2G) engagements and the signing of MoUs are said to be additional features of the exhibition.
Two Russian naval ships will also be visiting Pakistan for a port call during IDEAS 2018.
New inventions of Pakistan defence industry including those from Global Industrial Solutions, Pakistan Ordnance Factories, Military Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Shibli Electronics, Universal Smart Military Systems and Daudson Armoury will also be inaugurated and showcased during the exhibition.
The first two days of the exhibition have been earmarked for delegations, trade visitors and networking activities.
Commodore Tariq Javed also said, “This will be followed by an international seminar on emerging global and regional environment and the role of grey hybrid warfare therein from Pakistan’s perspective.”
“Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat would be the keynote speaker at the seminar with national and international subject matter experts to present their scholarly papers on the topic,” he said.
Exclusive land, maritime and aviation conferences by Pakistan Army, Navy and the Air Force respectively was said to be another significant component of IDEAS 2018.
An air show by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is also scheduled at Nishan-e-Pakistan, Sea View on November 29.
The fourth day of the exhibition will be open for public. “It will, however, be only for those who may have already registered themselves online to visit the exhibition,” said Commodore Tariq Javed mentioning that security of the participants, national and international visitors besides public, in general, will not be compromised in any manner.
This year PAF is participating in the mega event with locally made state-of-the-art military hardware, including Air Defence Command and Control Centres and integrated simulators.
According to a press release issued by Directorate of Media Affairs of PAF, “Manufactured by the personnel of PAF, these simulators are being used by PAF to modernise its operational training environment.”
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra would also set up their stall at the venue along with a static display of JF-17 Thunder and Super Mushshak aircraft.
Further, PAF will also present an air show at Sea View on November 29. Besides JF-17 Thunder and F-16 fighter aircraft, Sherdil aerobatics team will present a scintillating aerial display.
