‘Pakistan has large defence manufacturing infrastructure in place’

KARACHI: “Pakistan has a large defence manufacturing, training and support infrastructure in place, which is not only capable of meeting the needs of our armed forces, but also has the capacity to fulfill demands of other countries with high-quality products at mutually acceptable terms,” said Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf here today while addressing the inaugural session of the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS-2012).

“The world’s economic centre of gravity is gradually shifting towards Asia, more specifically to Asia-Pacific,” said Ashraf. “Peace and stability are the major requirements for any nation that seeks economic prosperity and social justice.”

He was of the view that Pakistan has been confronted with a complex web of challenges, as external and internal threats to Pakistan range across socio-economic to politico-military spectrum.

While talking to the delegates and exhibitors from 56 nations at IDEAS-2012, the prime minister said that the event aimed at addressing major security issues and potential areas of cooperation between nations interested in securing and maintaining world peace. Thus, he added, IDEAS-2012 could be considered as an ideal platform to discuss the importance of support services and equipment required by national and multinational forces for any intended action.

Prior to the address of the chief guest, the minister of defence production said that IDEAS-2012 provided an extremely valuable and interactive forum for the benefit of defence trade. Earlier, Director General Defence Export Promotion Organisation Major General Tahir Ashraf Khan highlighted IDEAS-2012 efforts to make the event a world-class success.

A seminar titled ‘Security Outlook 2025 – future security trends and challenges for defence industry in mounting technological response’ also took place at the sidelines of the expo. The chief guest of the seminar, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shameem Wynne, in his key note address, said that the security scenario at the regional and global level is undergoing a major transformation, which has strategic implications for Pakistan. “As the regional security situation becomes more complex, Pakistan’s defence industry would be compelled to develop a response, which is proportionate o challenges that lie ahead,” he observed. He added that this mega event signifies the accomplishments of Pakistan’s defence industry, despite the serious security challenges confronting it.

Steve Coll, an eminent Speaker from USA, in his speech titled ‘Technology and the future of war’ elaborated that recent developments have generated a debate about how computers, satellites, lasers, nano-weapons and other next-generation military technologies would shape doctrine, warfare and global power.

Dr Maleeha Lodhi said that Pakistan’s geopolitical location and volatile neighbourhood had placed it at the centre of many regional storms. She added that regional developments could accentuate Pakistan’s security anxieties and would have to be factored in for the direction and evolution of the defence industry.

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