Pak PM Nawaz Sharif inaugurates mega international defence expo

Karachi: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, addressing the inauguration of an International Defence Exhibition and Seminar here on Tuesday, reiterated Pakistan`s commitment to discourage an arms race in the region.

"We pursue the motive of `Arms for peace`, which is the tagline of IDEAS," Nawaz Sharif said at the Karachi Expo Centre.

The International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) is being participated by 418 firms from 34 countries. It is a biennially held defence exhibition which brings together the defence industry`s players across the globe to showcase latest technological innovations.

The defence industries of Turkey, China, Russia, North America, South America, Europe and Asia will have a significant presence at the exhibition, which has 157 Pakistani firms participating.

"This time 9 more countries are visiting and participating in IDEAS. These include Luxembourg, Denmark, Belarus, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Belgium, Romania and Nigeria," a statement said.

Nawaz Sharif jointly inaugurated the exhibition, which is set to run from Nov 22-25, alongside outgoing Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif.

"Pakistan`s ever growing defence industry is in quest for seeking international alliances to meet the requirements of its armed forces and growing needs of the regional defence forces," a statement posted on the IDEAS website explains why it was held in Pakistan. 

"Pakistan`s own defence products present a perfect mix of indigenous and foreign technologies thus offering an ideal platform for defence collaboration."

Besides showcasing of products, there will be several high-level meetings among foreign delegates, key government officials and participants on the sidelines of the four-day IDEAS for forging alliances in defence production. An important international defence seminar will be held at a hotel on Nov 22.

Although Chinese and Turkish defence industries will have a significant presence, Russia is participating in the event this time in a big way.