The 12th edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS 2024) kicked off at the Karachi Expo Centre on Tuesday, with Federal Minister for Defence and Defence Production, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, formally inaugurating the event. The exhibition, which runs until November 22, 2024, has attracted over 350 high-level delegations from 55 countries, making it a key regional event for the global defence industry.
IDEAS, organized biennially by the Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO), has become an international hub since its inception in 2000, bringing together manufacturers, entrepreneurs, R&D specialists, financial experts, and policymakers. The event serves as a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the promotion of defence-related ventures.
In his inaugural address, Minister Khawaja Asif highlighted the significant opportunities Pakistan offers for investment, joint ventures, and trade, particularly in the defence sector. He described IDEAS as a gateway for international manufacturers and suppliers to explore new avenues of cooperation, including outsourcing and joint ventures.
The minister emphasized the pivotal role of technology in addressing modern security challenges, noting that Pakistan remains committed to ensuring peace, stability, and order at both the regional and international levels. He reaffirmed that Pakistan’s foreign policy is guided by reciprocity, mutual interests, and international norms.
“As a responsible state, Pakistan is dedicated to playing its part in maintaining global peace,” Asif remarked. He also emphasized that meaningful dialogue based on equality is key to resolving bilateral issues and fostering harmony in the region.
The minister further noted that Pakistan’s defence industry has reached a stage where its products are competitive in the international market. However, he called for a stronger collaboration between academia and industry, as well as greater integration of public-private defence sectors and research organizations, to elevate Pakistan’s defence manufacturing capabilities.
Earlier, Major General Asad Nawaz Khan HI(M), Director General of DEPO, welcomed delegates, exhibitors, and participants, including both domestic and international exhibitors. During his visit to the exhibition halls, the Defence Minister praised the participation of academia and startups, particularly those from institutions like NUST, PMSTAP, and NASTP, which are helping to develop young entrepreneurs in the defence sector.
IDEAS 2024 has already surpassed previous milestones in terms of exhibition space, exhibitors, and delegates. The Karachi Expo Centre is fully booked, hosting more than 560 exhibitors from 41 countries, with 55% of them being international exhibitors. The event showcases a broad range of defence equipment from nations including Turkey, China, Iran, the UK, and those from North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and the Far East.
