Pakistan offering high-tech equipment for sale: minister

“Pakistan is offering some high-tech air and ground equipments for sale and it shows that we have achieved self sufficiency in many fields. Pakistan is a peace-loving country and desires to live in harmony with all.” Sardar Bahadur Khan Sihar, Federal Minister for Defence Production, stated this while addressing the closing ceremony of IDEAS 2012 here at Expo center Karachi.
Major General Tahir Ashraf Khan HI(M) DG DEPO, Commodore Siddiq Akbar, Director (Media) of Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO), Ministry of Defence Production and Brig. Mazhar, Director Coordination, DEPO were also present on the occasion.
He added that the aim of the IDEAS 2012 was to showcase our products, demonstrate our organization skills to plan and conduct a mega event of international stature and provide a great international platform to convey our view points on security issues concerning Pakistan. Moreover, to provide a unique opportunity for our defence related industry, both in public and private sector, to display their products and interact directly with the defence industry of the developed world and creating a good opportunity to reinforce the diplomatic efforts in the domain of defence diplomacy.
He said we feel that by holding DEAS 2012 successfully under the prevalent environment by an attempt to build the image of Pakistan as a modern, progressive and tolerant state that is willing to co-exist peacefully with the international community, we have achieve our aim. While giving answer to a question he said we have achieved all targets of holding the IDEAS 2012. Around 82 foreign defence delegations and participation of 56 countries shows the significance and success of the exhibition.
Meanwhile, Major General Tahir Ashraf Khan also briefed the media he added that Pakistan had been in defence production since very long.
Our some of the major indigenously developed products were showcased in IDEAS-2012 including Main Battle Tank Al–Khalid, JF–17 Thunder Fighter Aircraft, Jet Trainer Aircraft and UAVs etc.
We received very good response for IDEAS 2012 from Turkey, China, North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Far East.
He added that the impact of the event will be large, it is an ongoing process and major deals take time to be cemented. Chinese company and HIT has signed MoU in this regard. Pakistan is producing high quality defence products which are low in price tag but are equal in terms of quality. Pakistan has great potential to export it defence products. He said all delegates would undo the wrong image of Pakistan and show positive image as more secure, peaceful region to hold such a mega event.
He highlighted that foreign delegates did not face any difficulty during their stay and a good message will be conveyed by them that it is wrong there are armed men, terrorists on the streets of Karachi. A new message would be delivered by these delegates in the world that Pakistan respects sovereignties of the countries and a peaceful country, which is our great achievement.