KARACHI: Federal Minister for Defence Syed Naveed Qamar on Friday said that Pakistan's drone technology is at its initial stage. It has been used by the armed forces for air surveillance only.

Speaking to media representatives during his visit to International Defence Exhibition IDEAS-2012, the defence minister said that these drones are not capable of carrying arms.

He said the IDEAS-2012 will help create awareness about new defence technology and trends of defence. It will also help ascertain the requirement of our armed forces and to introduce our defence products in the world.

He said the private sector in the world was playing a prominent role in defence production activities. In Pakistan, traditionally the defence production was restricted to public sector. But, he said, now it is time to engage our private sector in defence production too.

“The government has been extending all possible support and facilitation to our private sector to come up and play a front role in this important national task,” he added.