International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS 2024) Commencement in Karachi
The inaugural day for the commencement was marked by Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Defence and Production. The event will conclude on November 22nd of this year. During his address at the opening ceremony: It is important to note that “Pakistan today offered enormous opportunities for profitable investments, joint ventures, and trade in all sectors including defense industry.”
The IDEAS serves as a regional gateway allowing international manufacturers and suppliers an opportunity to explore new defence cooperation routes. The Minister emphasized the need of academia-industry synergy along with public-private partnerships for enhancing Pakistan’s defense sector: “To further excel in this domain there is a need [of] academia – industry interface, integration of public-private defense industry and involvement of R&D organizations.”
Major General Asad Nawaz Khan HI(M), Director General DEPO extended warm welcomes to the participants. He appreciated that startups like NASTP are providing excellent learning platforms for young entrepreneurs through interactions with defense exhibitors: “They will hone skills by having interaction with foreign and national defence equipment.”
With over 560 international delegates from more than 41 countries, IDEAS is the largest such exhibition in Pakistan’s history. The Karachi Expo Centre reached its full capacity with a significant number of exhibitors that include startups alongside well-established defense industry players: “Of them exhibitors [are] 50% international and 45% local.”
Additional Topics Discussed by the Federal Minister for Defence and Production, Pakistan
The government’s guiding principles of reciprocity, mutual interests, and adherence to international norms are the pillars that govern Pakistan’s relations. The minister also underlined their commitment towards peace: “Pakistan is always committed to playing its role for regional stability.” He added further about the need for dialogue based on equality which would not only help in resolving bilateral issues but also promote peace and harmony within regions, asserting that “[a]ccord-making with our neighbors will resolve many of the problems we face today. It is a win -win situation.”