M. M. ALAM
KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while opening the 9th International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) on Tuesday 11.30 am here at Expo Centre has said that Pakistan is emerging as a fast growing producer of defense products.
He however, prompted to add that Pakistan is against the arms race and as a sovereign country had a right to arm itself for self defense. Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air force were also present on the occasion.
KARACHI: Following inauguration PM, COAS and others visited the 8 Halls harboring stalls of 418 companies from 43 countries.
The 4-day biennial IDEAS 2016, termed as ‘Arms for Peace’, is hosting 90 delegations who are here in the Metropolis to attend the exposition and associated seminars. Thirty high-level teams consisting of defense ministers, defense secretaries and chiefs of armies, navies and air forces of various countries are also attending the Expo. 
157 foreign defense-related entities are exposing their products. China and Turkey are overwhelmingly conspicuous amongst these participating countries.
From all over Pakistan 261 organisations are taking part in IDEAS 2016. Pakistan is showcasing military hardware, battle tank Al-Khalid, JF-17 Thunder, Super Mushak, K-8 aircraft, Fast Attack Craft Missile boats, UAVs and APCs.
Interestingly, for the first time, weapons made at Pakistani tribal areas were also presented.
The local administration has announced the following traffic plan for the commuters: 
But despite the traffic plan massive traffic jams were seen on Shahrah-i-Faisal and other arteries of the Metropolis.
