Pakistani PM opens defence exhibition, vows to resist terrorists

Pakistani Prime Minster Raja Pervez Ashraf Wednesday opened an international defence exhibition in Pakistan's port city of Karachi, in which a total of 135 foreign and 74 Pakistani firms are displaying their defence equipment and machinery, local media reported. Nearly 80 foreign delegations, including 24 high level ones, headed either by their respective defence ministers, secretaries or service chiefs, are also attending the five-day International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS 2012), organizers said. Inaugurating the exhibition, the prime minister said that Pakistan is confronted with numerous challenges ranging from terrorism and extremism to social problems. "The terrorists will not be allowed to enforce their agenda," he said. He stressed the need to eliminate root causes of terrorism to ensure durable global peace. About the Pakistan-China relationship, the Prime Minister said that both countries enjoy enduring relations. He said that there is also progress in Pakistan's relations with Russia. Pakistan is also strengthening cooperation with Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkey. He said Pakistan supports peace process in Afghanistan. Referring to Pakistan-India relations, Prime Minister Pervez Ashraf said that two countries are moving in a right direction through dialogue. He described Pak-Iran gas pipeline as the path to development. However, he said, establishment of peace was vital for it. The Prime Minister said Asia is becoming a centre of economic activity and Pakistan will greatly contribute in this regard. He said efforts are underway to strengthen national economy. In this regard, tax net is being expanded to generate revenue for the development of the country. Earlier, Minister for Defence Production Sardar Bahadur in his welcome address expressed the hope that the defence products manufactured in Pakistan would greatly cater for the defensive and military requirements of the needy buyers and countries. Some of the major indigenously developed products are also showcased in the IDEAS 2012 including Battle Tank Al-Khalid, JF-17 Thunder Fighter Aircraft, Jet Trainer Aircraft and UAVs. Separate country pavilions have been reserved for Turkey and China. Adequate space has also been made available to accommodate defence companies from North America, South America and Asia. The exhibition opens for officially invited delegations comprising senior officials of foreign countries and trade visitors from abroad as well as from the country. An organizer, Brigadier Mazhar Mumtaz, said that potential buyers included countries from Far East, Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia. "Pakistan's markets are the countries that are not war intensified as Central Asia, South Asia and Africa," he told a news conference ahead of the conference. Decision makers from foreign countries are provided with a chance to meet local exhibitors and manufacturers that may further open opportunities for outsourcing as well as joint ventures. Several high level meetings have also been planned on the sidelines of IDEAS 2012 that would promote potential of Pakistan Defence Industry on the intentional horizons. The conference includes seminars with major focus on "Security Outlook 2025 - Future Security Trend and Challenges for Defence Industry in Mounting Technological Response". Scholars from Pakistan, the United States, Turkey, China and other countries would make their respective presentations, organizers say. An international defence conference is also scheduled.