Photo released by Pakistan's Press Information Department (PID) on Nov. 22, 2016 shows Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressing the inauguration ceremony of the 9th International Defense Exhibition and Seminar 2016 (IDEAS-2016) in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi. IDEAS-2016 commenced at Karachi Expo Center on Tuesday. (Xinhua/PID)
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- The 9th International Defense Exhibition and Seminar 2016 (IDEAS-2016) commenced at Karachi Expo Center on Tuesday.
According to the Media Director of Defense Export and Promotion Organization Commodore Tahir Javed, as many as 418 companies are participating in the event, which is under the theme of "Arms for Peace."
The exhibition has allotted Chinese and Turkish exhibitors separate pavilions to showcase their defense prowess. Chinese exhibitors were allotted the Pavilions A, B, and C. Moreover, the number of Russian defense products manufacturers also increased to three this year.
Pakistan would highlight its main battle tank Al-Khalid, fighter jet JF-17 Thunder, training aircraft Super Mushshak, K-8 aircraft, Fast-Attack Craft Missile Boats, armored personnel carriers, premium grade military hardware and related technology.
Pakistan is expected to sign around 14 memoranda of understandings with the participants to promote defense exports and enter into joint venture with foreign delegates and exhibitors.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif welcomed the participants and underlined the motto of arms for peace in the world, adding that the exhibition of over 2,000 weapon systems and equipment reflect a broad-based participation of Pakistan's public and private sector in the defense production and export, which is fully backed by the research and development.
He mentioned that the IDEAS-2016 presents the participating countries a chance to collaborate with Pakistani defense products makers, which has resulted in helping Pakistan achieving self-reliance in defense production and its export.
The International Defense Exhibition and Seminar was launched in 2000 with an aim to promote Pakistan's domestic arms manufacturing businesses besides providing a platform to the international vendors to offer solutions to the requirements of the Pakistan armed forces.
