KARACHI: Inaugurating the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2014, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed the resolve to equip the military with modern equipment for protection of country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Radio Pakistan reported.
Speaking at the Expo Centre in Karachi on Monday, the premier said the nation is committed to provide its defenders with all the necessary resources for this vital mission.
Sharif said Pakistan's unique geo strategic location called for efforts towards protecting the sovereignty of the country.
He said threat to national security has multiplied with emergence of non-state actors including terrorists and computer hackers. "We need to develop new tools and gadgets to effectively deal with these threats, he said.
Appreciating the sacrifices rendered by the armed forces in the war on terror, the prime minister reaffirmed the commitment to make Zarb-e-Azb successful to rid the country of terrorism.
Nawaz Sharif said the government is also mindful of other challenges faced by Pakistan including poverty, illiteracy, under development. "We will lay the foundation of a competitive economy and infrastructure to put the country on the path of sustainable development," he said.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the government is giving special emphasis to the export of country's defence products.
He pointed out that Pakistan is preparing sophisticated defence products which are cost-effective when compared to other producers. "Several Western countries are also importing defence items from us," he added.
Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan has the potential and capacity not only to meet its own defence requirements but also that of the world. He said the international community is surprised over the achievements made by Pakistan in the defence field. However there is a need to bring further improvements in the sector, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain said the IDEAS has acquired the status of one of the major defense exhibitions in the region. He said the participating countries would benefit from each other's knowledge and experiences. He said the exhibition provides a platform for promotion of defense products to Pakistan and other countries and provides an opportunity to establish defense related businesses.
Eighty eight delegations from forty seven countries are participating in the event.
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" Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan has the potential and capacity not only to meet its own defence requirements but also that of the world." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "but also that of the world "........wow! btw potential or capacity are mutually exclusive. When a PM talks like this he wipes out any credibility whatsoever.
I believe Pakistan holding IDEAS is great. KUDOS to arm services and government of Sind who have been doing the event since the year 2000 when it was setup by Pervez Musharraf. It has grown since then to include more than 30,000 delegates and 250 exhibitors from around the world. The reception is great and the outcome even better However the traffic woes when IDEAS is in swing need no explanation. What i am unable to understand that why the event has to be organized at EXPO? right at the center of the city where it is clear that blocking the perimeter would disturb routes of almost 4-5 hundred thousand commuter to offices, hospitals, schools etc. why cant it be done on any of the cantonment areas? almost 70% of Shahra-e-Faisal is covered under cantonments; any of these turn-out as an ideal location from security, logistics, peace in the city etc. It would save a lot of human energy, build trust of people on government that it is thinking on citizens rights, added fool-proof security, less commuters fuel consumption etc.
pictures, pictures, I want a lookie at the equipment.
The IDEAS was started by Pervez Musharaf and it is still going on. Since there is hefty benefits in this business so it was not discontinued during the regime of PPP (Permanent Plunderer Party) and PML (N). If Government purchase arms there is heavy kick backs receiving by the concerned authorities in the Ministries. If Government sell arms there is also heavy kick backs taking by the concerned authorities in the Ministries. We the people are fool and absurd and are paying heavy price. I being the Karachities reached my office at Clifton after two hours traffic jams. I came back from the office during evening time and wasted my two hours time in traffic jams.
The Government should realize our plight otherwise GO NAWAZ GO is also liked by Zardari because yesterday during a public meeting he disclosed that nobody can dissolve assembly but we can do this but he also likes GO NAWAZ GO slogan which is now national slogan of Pakistan.
Due to the visit of Nawaz Sharif to IDEAS at Karachi the commuters especially Karachi people suffered a lot.
The Government is trying to make investment in various projects for God sake Government should also think to change of IDEAS venue from Expo Centre to any other venue or any other City like Islamabad. The Expo Centre must be also shifted to New Sabzi Mandi at Highway or Export Processing Zone, Bin Qasim Port or nearest to Karachi Airport.
Please save us from this mismanagement by the Government.
Catch 22 - the infrastructure necessary to produce high tech weapons is so expensive it forces you to become an exporter to mitigate cost - but the competition in arms exports is so intense that the likelihood of you becoming a meaningful players is slim. Pakistan doesn't have sufficient financial resource to keep it's power plants fueled - probably makes more sense to buy high tech weapons where necessary rather than build your own.
5.5 Million kids out of School & we are doing IDEAS (Arms for Peace) - Woooooow - Beauty of Pakistan - I wish same focus should be given to Education & all these kids out of School
We have now reduced money allocated on defence budget hence military has found a way to offset those reductions. But it is sad to see that federal govt hasn't contributed enough in any other sector to revive exports of some other goods indicating same old inefficient federal govts who continously make failed attempts at doing something but is never successful in anything.
Let's not forget that there are many schools, offices and universities are there in Islamabad too. How about a looney platoon creating a mess there from past three months. What if there was another dharni (called by the U turn master) today at the same place at same time? would you guys have same sympathies with the karachites?
@Abdul Azeem: Location of expo center in general, in the middle of the city is moronic and speaks volumes of our city planning! Such sensitive exhibitions take place in a less dense populated area. Why could not the army do this event in many of their bases across Karachi? PAF base Faisal, Masroor, cantonment areas etc have adequate spaces available and temporary air conditioned tents can be set easily. Leave the expo for public exhibitions. Many exhibitions take place at expo now and then and there are no jams
What's the exact quantum on the defense related exports?? And how do we measure the cost base??
I believe Pakistan holding IDEAS is great.
KUDOS to arm services and government of Sind who have been doing the event since the year 2000 when it was setup by Pervez Musharraf. It has grown since then to include more than 30,000 delegates and 250 exhibitors from around the world. The reception is great and the outcome even better
However the traffic woes when IDEAS is in swing need no explanation. What i am unable to understand that why the event has to be organized at EXPO? right at the center of the city where it is clear that blocking the perimeter would disturb routes of almost 4-5 hundred thousand commuter to offices, hospitals, schools etc.
why cant it be done on any of the cantonment areas? almost 70% of Shahra-e-Faisal is covered under cantonments; any of these turn-out as an ideal location from security, logistics, peace in the city etc.
It would save a lot of human energy, build trust of people on government that it is thinking on citizens rights, added fool-proof security, less commuters fuel consumption etc.
People should differentiate between VIP protocol and security for high profile leaders. If Nawaz's security convoy is not appropriate then IK's own security convoy is not acceptable either, which he uses everytime he moves particularly when coming to riskly places like Karachi.
@Ali S: 8-9 pm or am? lol
I understand your displeasure but just to let you know that it is not just because of the premier visiting Karachi but because there are so many foreign delegates visiting this particular expo. We ought to provide proper security if we are to attract foreigners to our city for business purposes.
None the less, traffic jams are very annoying. Advise you to plan your move in advance for the next 3 days.
Now we know who to blame for the Monday morning mess. Boycott ideas! Boycott Nawaz!
Just spent two hours in choked traffic because one of Karachi's biggest arterial roads was blocked with containers, the other alternate service roads were also choked to a standstill. Couldn't make it to university and had to drive on the wrong side of the road to get home.
And at this time (8-9PM on a Monday morning) there were thousands of people going to offices and universities who shared my fate. All this to let his highness the PM pass through undisturbed. This kind of VIP culture with blatant disregard for disrupting everyone else's life is why IK's message resonates with everyone.