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KARACHI: Pakistan has achieved substantial growth over the years in terms of defence related exports, which have presently surged to $200 million from $20 million in the year 2000.
This was stated by Maj General Syed Absar Hussain. Director General Defence Export Promotion (DEP) while briefing the representatives of the print and electronic media in connection with the preparations for the forthcoming mega defence show “Ideas 2006”, titled 'arms for peace', which is scheduled to start on November 21 to 24 at the Expo Centre, Karachi.
The mega event is managed by the Defence Export Promotion Organisation and it is organised by Pegasus Consultancy (Pvt) Ltd. City Nazim Karachi, Mustafa Kamal also spoke about the various efforts by the city government to complete the different ongoing development schemes in the vicinity of the Expo Centre, venue of the defence exhibition. DIG Traffic, Falak Khurshid explained in detail with the help of charts about the different traffic diversions which would come into affect with the commencement of the mega event around the Expo Centre.
Maj Gen Syed Absar Hussain said that a variety of defence equipment including Al-Zarar tanks, anti-tank and anti-aircraft equipment and Mashhak planes, were sold to South Asia and South Asian countries and Gulf countries and it requires a wide range of modern equipments to cater their defence needs. He admitted that some countries, keeping in view their weak financial position, were offered weapons on credit-terms.
In the context of the mega defence exhibition “Ideas 2006”, the DG of the Defence Export Promotion said that it would be one of the largest exhibitions of its kind in the history of the country, which would be participated by 200-plus exhibitors from 25 countries around the globe, which would display their defence products. Some 80 delegates would participate officially in the defence exhibition from 50 countries, which includes ministers and different services chiefs.
Compared to previous exhibition, the “Ideas 2006” would be double in size as massive arrangements were made for the successful holding of the international defence exhibition. He applauded the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) for enhancing displaying the capacity of the Expo Centre by constructing two huge sized exhibition halls in a short period of time which would help accommodate large number of defence items for display.
The equipments, which would be put on display, include armed personnel carriers, logistic vehicles, physical display of Augusta submarines, and improved version of Al-Khalid and Al-Zarar tanks. The DG DEP said that on the 25th of November, a grand cultural show would be organised including cultural and musical shows and army band display, which would be participated by the eminent artists of the country. The programme would be aired live on television channels.
He appealed to people of Karachi to cooperate with the government in the successful holding of the mega-event, as it would highlight image of the city worldwide.
Replying to a question about countries, which would take part in the international defence exhibition, he said they include US, Gulf countries, Germany, Australia, China, Turkey, and some European countries. City Nazim Karachi, Mustafa Kamal said that all targets given to the city government before the start of the defence exhibition were completed on time and it was an honour for Karachi to be selected for this international mega event.
