Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday reiterated his government's unflinching and concerted support to the on-going military operation "Zarb-e-Azab" in the tribal areas of the country, till its logical conclusion. Addressing the inaugural session of the Eighth International Defence Products Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2014, here on Monday, he said that securing sovereignty was the foremost obligation for any independent country.
A modern and well-equipped military was therefore an essential requirement for any country, more so for Pakistan that besides its geo-political location, was fighting terrorism in its tribal belt, he added. Reiterating that the country's defence was among the top most priorities, the Prime Minister said the government was also mindful of other challenges like poverty and illiteracy.
The government, he said, was equally focussed on strengthening economy, besides building a knowledge-based infrastructure. It was endeavouring to build a technology-based industrial network, he added. He appreciated the fact that over 2000 categories of defence equipment and gadgets, mostly manufactured in Pakistan, were put on display at IDEAS 2014. This, he said, reflected a strong industry of defence goods, which was contributing to the national economy.
"Growing stature of IDEAS and the increasing number of defence goods on display with every passing year reflects its relevance," said the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister appreciating the local engineers said that Pakistan could now claim to have developed an adequate capacity to produce sophisticated gadgets proving that it was no more an exclusive domain of the developed world.
This self reliance, he said, holds its multi dimensional benefits, inclusive of economic empowerment and adequate protection of the country's sovereignty. About the event itself, he said display of military ware, sharing of experiences by engineers and technologist from all parts of the world have made this a unique occasion. Deliberations on issues related to world security by policy makers and researchers have added more to it, he added.
Earlier, Director General Defence Export Promotion Organisation (DEPO), Major General Agha Masood Akram said guests, including exhibitors and delegates from 67 countries were participating in the event, or attending it in one or the other way. "IDEAS is a platform for convergence of local and foreign exhibitors, policy makers and researchers all related to defence sector," he said.
Major General Akram said IDEAS that marked its beginning in 2000 has gone a long way as with just 65 exhibitors from 42 countries it is currently being attended by 264 exhibitors and 88 foreign delegates from 50 countries. Thirty six different countries from Asia, Africa, America and Europe are participating in the exhibition. Turkey is the largest participant closely followed by China.
Director General DEPO said the event particularly provides local manufactures of defence equipments of varied category, from both private and public sectors to exhibit their goods and gain efficient access for the same. "It is not only to facilitate trade but also share knowledge," said the DEEP Managing Director mentioning that top-notch scholars are also attending the event "Matching Response and Production to the Challenges of Dynamic Security Environment".
He on the occasion thanked the citizens of Karachi along with Pakistan Armed Forces, Ministry of Defence Production, TDAP, Government of Sindh, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Sindh Rangers, Karachi Police for their support and co-ordination. Federal Minister for Defence Production, Rana Tanvir Hussain said some of the major indigenously developed products being showcased in IDEAS-2014 include Main Battle Tank Al-Khalid, JF-17 Thunder Fighter Aircraft, Armoured Personnel Carriers and Missile Boats.
Of the 88 delegations 30 are high-level, headed either by the Defence Ministers, Joint Chiefs, Services Chiefs or Defence Secretaries of the concerned countries, he said. The Minister mentioned that multiple high level meetings have been planned on the sideline of the exhibition between foreign delegates, key government officials, and participants of the exhibition for forging alliances in defence production.
Governor Sindh, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Federal Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, Federal Minister for Commerce, Khurram Dastagir Khan, besides former diplomats of the country, military secretaries and members of delegations from different countries of the world along with defence personnel of the country also attended the event.
Comments
Comments are closed.