KARACHI: Pakistan expects a record number of companies and delegates to attend this year's edition of the country's largest military hardware and software exhibition, despite the fluid domestic and international political situation, organizers said on Saturday.
The 11th edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS 2022) is scheduled to be held from November 15-18, 2022, at the Karachi Expo Centre. The Defense Export Promotion Organisation (DEPO) will be organizing the event under the theme of "Arms for Peace".
The Al-Khalid is Pakistan's most important battle tank developed by Heavy Industries Taxila. It will be displayed at the IDEAS 2022 defense exhibition. (AN photo)
IDEAS provides a platform for local and international companies to showcase the world's advanced military hardware and software. The event also features latest defense technology demonstrations.
This year, Pakistan is enhancing its focus on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the field of defense.
IDEAS 2022 will bring together defense industries from across the world to showcase their latest technological innovations. A large number of senior civil, military delegations and trade visitors would also be attending this year's IDEAS exhibition, the organizers said at a curtain raiser for the event, held at Karachi Expo Centre.
“As of today, 64 countries have confirmed their participation in the exhibition which is the highest-ever number of foreign participation in any such event in the history of the country,” Brigadier Naveed Azam Cheema, Director Coordination of DEPO, Ministry of Defence Production, said.
“Despite the adverse geopolitical situation, around 300 delegates have expressed their intention to participate in the event,” he added.
Brigadier Naveed Azam Cheema, Director Coordination Defense Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) speaks at IDEAS2022 curtain raiser, along with Commodore Mohammad Tahir SI(M), Director Media, Air Commodore Abdul Basit, Director EPS from DEPO, DIGP Traffic, Ahmed Nawaz Cheema and Zohair Naseer Chief Executive Officer of Badar Expo Solutions on November 12, 2022. (AN photo)
Brigadier Cheema informed that IDEAS 2022 has surpassed all previous milestones in terms of space, booking and the number of exhibitors and delegates from both Pakistan and across the world attending the event.
Karachi Expo Centre has been booked to full capacity with more than 500 exhibitors from Turkey, China, North America, South America, Europe, Asia and the Far East. Out of these, 60% of the exhibitors are international while 40% are local.
To mark the occasion, the Ministry of Pakistan Postal Services has issued a Commemorative Postal Stamp of Rs.20/-. New inventions by Pakistan's defense industry will also be inaugurated and showcased during the exhibition.
