November 23, 2006	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 1, 1427

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KARACHI, Nov 22: Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) Chairman Gen Ehsanul Haq said on Wednesday that Pakistan should strive to achieve self-reliance and it should not depend on any one source of supply in the vital area of defence.

Addressing a news conference at the Ideas 2006 exhibition, he said China and Ukraine had helped Pakistan in developing credible minimum strategic balance. He expressed the hope that “robust cooperation with China would further grow”.

He said Chinese assistance in the development of JF17 Thunder aircraft and frigates for Pakistan Navy had played a significant role in strengthening national defence.

He said the country’s defence expenditure compared to its Gross Domestic Product had shown a declining trend over the past few years. With further improvement in economy there would be reduction in defence spending, he said.

He described the exhibition as a “window of the level of knowledge and technology in Pakistan,” reflecting the government's efforts to enhance indigenous defence capability.

CO-PRODUCTION: The Pakistan Ordinance Factory (POF) has signed an agreement with South Korean firm Poongsan for co-production and marketing of 155mm Base Bleed DPICM k-310 artillery ammunition.

The agreement was signed by POF Chairman Lt-Gen Syed Sabahat Hussain and Moon Won Lee, president of the South Korean firm.