KARACHI/ISLAMABAD, 21 November 2006 — Pakistan is committed to wiping out terrorism and it is making all-out efforts to fight the menace, said Defense Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal at a seminar held in connection with the International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2006 here yesterday. The defense exhibition is being organized by the Defense Export Promotion Organization (DEPO).
“Pakistan will continue to play its role in making the world a safer place,” Rao Sikandar added.
He said that as long as the root causes of violence in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kashmir and Palestine remain unaddressed, world peace and stability would continue to be threatened. The international community should address the root causes of terrorism — poverty, discrimination, injustices and suppression of freedom struggles in Kashmir and Palestine, he added.
The minister pointed out that Pakistan had played a vital role in combating terrorism and had busted several terrorist networks.
Pakistan has sacrificed a lot in the fight against terrorism and it is time the world recognized its sacrifices, he said. Rao also spoke about the potential of the country’s defense industry.
He said that armament and weapons produced in Pakistan were extremely reliable, affordable and battle-proven. “Our products have made inroads in the international market due to high quality. He described IDEAS as one of Asia’s important defense exhibitions.
Pakistan, a manufacturer of light and heavy weaponry, established IDEAS in 2000. It is the 3rd Asian nation to host the prestigious show. The United Arab Emirates regularly hosts IDEX and Singapore is another country which hosts weapons shows on regular basis.
This year firepower will not be the part of various events, which the DEPO has planned so far. This year Pakistan will display its own light-grade and heavy-grade weaponry, like indigenously manufactured Al-Khalid and Al-Zarar tanks, Talah, Saad, M-113-P and logistic armored personnel carriers.
Pakistan’s Heavy Industries, Texila, will display its an anti-terrorist vehicle “Muhafiz.” Besides, Pakistan will put stalls for army, navy and air force. Other weapons manufacturing facilities like Aeronautical Complex Kamra, will for the first time, display JF Thunder jet fighter, which the country has developed with Chinese collaboration.
Air Weapons Complex, which manufactures sophisticated bombs, laser-guided bombs, radars, anti-terrorist-radars will place its latest products.
Meanwhile, security was beefed up in Karachi yesterday with thousands of police and paramilitary troops deployed in the city.
Around 230 companies from the United States, France, Germany, China and Turkey, are participating in the annual show. Organizers said this year’s theme was “Arms for Peace.”
