KARACHI: President Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan believes in meaningful dialogue on the basis of equality not only to resolve bilateral issues but also to give a chance to peace and harmony in the region.

He was addressing the opening ceremony of the 10th edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2018 organised by the Defence Export Promotion Organisation at the Karachi Expo Centre on Tuesday.

Following a grand inauguration ceremony, the president, who was also the chief guest on the occasion, said that IDEAS served as a regional gateway for international manufacturers and suppliers to explore new avenues of defence cooperation through joint ventures, outsourcing and collaboration.

“Pakistan today offers enormous opportunities for profitable investments, joint ventures and trade in all sectors, including defence industry,” he added.

The president said Pakistan’s defence industry had reached the threshold of quality and reliability wherein its products were competing in the international defence market.

Anti-submarine, tank weapon system launched by POF

He said that Pakistan being a responsible state was always committed to playing its role for international peace, stability and order.

“At our end, we in collaboration with our partners are steadfast to this unflinching commitment for peace and stability in the world,” he said.

Later, during his visit to the exhibition halls, President Alvi inaugurated new Pakistan Defence Industry inventions from Global Industrial Solutions, Pakistan Ordnance Factories, Military Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Heavy Industries Taxila, and Shibli Electronics, Universal Smart Military Systems and Daudson Armoury.

Addressing the gathering, Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal said that Pakistan had the potential to emerge as a global platform for defence research, scientific growth, manufacturing and joint ventures in order to strengthen its defence capabilities and spur developments as well as exports in this sector.

“Towards this, the Ministry of Defence Production is continuing to evolve clear priorities and approaches for protecting and defending the interests of the defence industry of Pakistan at home and abroad,” she said, adding that today Pakistan was a reliable export partner of more than 60 countries.

Later, speaking at a reception hosted for the participants of the exhibition at the Mohatta Palace, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that IDEAS 2018 was meant to pave the way for fostering and promoting Pakistan’s strategic relations with international partners.

“With vibrant population of more than 79 million, improved law and order situation, as well as governance and security, Karachi has now become a perfect destination for profitable businesses and trade,” he said, adding that the Sindh government was committed to providing all out support and facilitation for profitable investments, joint ventures and trade.

The biennial exhibition will continue till Nov 30.

Anti-submarine system launched

According to a press release, the Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) has introduced newly developed anti-submarine weaponry system named “Depth Charge Mark-II MOD3”.

Produced and developed for the navy, the air launched anti-submarine weapon system detonates at an optimum depth of 70 feet that makes it very effective against intruder submarines submerged at a shallow depth.

The statement added that the POF had also indigenously produced an “Anti-Tank Mine System”. This system can be launched from a moving vehicle at a range of 50-250 metres on either side, it said, adding that its maximum self-destruction time is over 300 hours.

Naval engagements

Meanwhile, on the first day of the exhibition, naval heads of various countries, including Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Malaysia, called on Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi. During the meetings, matters relating to defence cooperation, training collaboration and maritime affairs were discussed.

Our Taxila correspondent contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2018