KARACHI: Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif on Monday inaugurated four-day 8th International Defence Exhibition, IDEAS 2014 at Karachi Expo Center.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan’s weapon industry had grown excellently and had added to the deterrence of the county.
He stressed that the states must develop technologies to tackle threats of terrorists and elements taking up arms inside borders.
Nawaz said that threats to national security had multiplied, necessitating the need for vigorous actions against non-state-actors.
The PM pointed out that Post cold war world was much more complex and global security environment was in state of flux.
IDEAS has emerged as major defense industry show in the region, he added, here are more than 2000 weapons system displayed in IDEAS , many developed in Pakistan.
“We must also eradicate poverty, defeat illiteracy, and provide knowledge based infrastructure,” Nawaz said.
An international defence seminar will also be held on Monday evening in connection to the exhibition. Russia, UAE, Australia and Portugal for the first time will take part in the exhibition.
As Many as 36 countries and 333 companies are participating in the exhibition. Pakistan’s 77 companies will present their products in IDEAs 2014.
Several high-level meetings between foreign delegates, key government officials, and participants have been planned on the sidelines of the exhibition.
The country’s some of the major indigenously developed products to be displayed included Main Battle Tank Al-Khalid, JF-17 Thunder Fighter Aircraft, Armoured Personnel Carriers and missile boats.
China has installed the biggest stall in the exhibition.
Meanwhile, Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanvir Hussain has informed media that as many as one hundred and thirty six international and thirty four Pakistani companies are participating in exhibition.
