International Defence Exhibition in Pakistan from Nov-20
By Sarah Kamal 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: The fourth International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) would be held in Karachi from Nov. 20 to Nov. 25 this year, said Director General Defence Export Organisation (DEPO) Major Gen. Syed Absar Hussain while giving briefing about the IDEAS-2006 to the Islamabad based Defence Attaches of different countries here Monday.

He said this time the IDEAS would be held in more vibrant manner as almost double of the exhibitionists and delegations from abroad have confirmed their participation in the five-day moot as compared to the one held in 2004.

He said the major aim for holding the IDEAS after every two years is to promote the vibrant defence production of the country for exports besides projecting the correct image of the country in the comity of nations.

He said 75 delegations from 60 countries while 250 companies from abroad have confirmed their participation in the exhibition which itself speaks about the status which IDEAS 2006 has assumed. He said this year the exhibition area has been enhanced to 7500 sq meters.

He said this year over 173 delegations comprising 450 delegates from 93 countries have been extended invitations.

"We exhibit the arms for peace and sell only those which are in access to our local requirement in the conventional sector," he said.

He said that most of the equipment showcased in the IDEAS is of medium tech level while a few of the high tech defence equipment is also presented for sale.

He said for the first time, in the upcoming exhibition the students from Karachi would be provided an opportunity to visit the Expo Centre.

Major Gen. Syed Absar Hussain said the concluding event of the IDEAS which was previously held in the PAF Range of Sonmiani (Balochistan) would now be held on beautiful island of Manora near Karachi at PNS Qasim, naval base of Pakistan Navy.

He said the event is renamed as Joint Forces Display where all the three forces of the country would exhibit their power achieved and upgraded during the last two years.

He said the evenings of the participants of IDEAS used to be free in the past but this time an event of Night Golf has been added to the functions of the IDEAS with the aim to provide them engagement in some physical and healthy activity.

On the sidelines of the exhibition and Seminar, the DEPO would also organise meetings of various visiting delegations with the VVIPS and VIPs of the country besides with the senior officials of the Ministry of Defence.

Later, talking to media persons, he said a number of indigenously developed arms and equipment with upgrades would be showcased during the exhibition.

He said Heavy Industry Taxila with the help of a friendly country has indigenously developed an Armed Personnel Carrier (APC) which would be included in the display.

Answering a question, he said presentation on JF-17 (Thunder) fighting aircraft being manufactured by Pakistan in collaboration with China, improved versions of Super-Mashak trainer aircraft and Al-Khalid main battle tank would also be amongst the mainstay of the defence exhibition and seminar. T

he briefing concluded with the question answer session.●