KARACHI: A senior government official in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province said on Sunday extraordinary security measures have been implemented for the country’s premier defense exhibition, which is scheduled to commence in Karachi next week.
The International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS), held biennially since its inception under General (r) Pervez Musharraf’s administration in 2000, has grown into a key event for the defense sector.
This year’s exhibition, running from Tuesday to Friday, will host over 550 exhibitors, including 340 international defense companies, alongside more than 350 senior civil and military officials from 55 countries.
Sindh’s Home Minister, Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, told Arab News that police, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies are working in coordination to enforce heightened security measures in connection with the event.
“The police, Rangers, and other law enforcement agencies are united and alert on one platform to implement extraordinary security measures,” he said.
Karachi has faced significant security challenges, including a suicide bombing near Jinnah International Airport last month that killed two Chinese engineers and injured several others. The city also grapples with high street crime rates, with over 90,000 incidents reported in 2023, causing considerable hardship for residents.
Additionally, Karachi’s traffic conditions are notoriously poor, especially during rush hours, and are exacerbated by rain or high-profile events, leading to severe congestion and delays.
The provincial minister added that Karachi’s traffic police would ensure smooth movement for both domestic and international visitors by publicizing alternative routes and addressing traffic-related concerns.
To bolster security, local authorities have already fortified the Expo Center, the venue for the exhibition, with multiple layers of containers.
A day earlier, Brig. Ali Adil, Director of Coordination for IDEAS 2024, outlined the event’s diverse activities during a news conference, which include live demonstrations of cutting-edge defense technology, an international seminar and the IDEAS Tri-Services Karachi Show.
The event will also offer opportunities for networking through business-to-business and business-to-government engagements.
“IDEAS 2024 will bring together representatives of defense industries from around the world to showcase their latest technological innovations, while Pakistan’s defense sector, including both public and private companies, will present products of international standards,” Brig. Adil said.
This year’s event will feature a new “Startups Pavilion” designed to offer international exposure to young Pakistani entrepreneurs, who will display innovative projects and technologies, he said.
Commodore Aitazaz Khalid, Director of Media for IDEAS, confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will inaugurate the exhibition on Tuesday.
An international seminar on “Pakistan Defense Production Potential – Challenges, Opportunities, and Way Forward” will be held on the third day of the event, with presentations from leading national and international experts.
General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, will be the chief guest for the seminar.
For the visiting dignitaries and Karachi residents, the Tri-Services Karachi Show will be held at Nishan-e-Pakistan, located on the city’s seafront.
Deputy Inspector General of Traffic Police Iqbal Dara also briefed the media on the traffic management plan and alternative routes to ensure smooth access for attendees and ease congestion during peak hours.
He said IDEAS 2024 would set new records, surpassing previous milestones in terms of the exhibition space, number of exhibitors and international participants.
Karachi gears up for premier defense expo next week amid heightened security measures
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Karachi gears up for premier defense expo next week amid heightened security measures
- Launched in 2000, IDEAS has become a key biennial event for the international defense industry
- The event will host over 550 exhibitors, including 340 global defense companies, from 55 countries
Pakistan stock market sees 41% rise in investors in 18 months
- Pakistan’s stock market has gained momentum at start of year on broad-based institutional buying
- The rise in the stock market reflects global investors’ confidence in the country, state media says
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange has witnessed a 41% increase in the number of investors over the past 18 months, Pakistani state broadcaster reported on Friday.
Pakistani stock market has gained momentum in recent months as broad-based institutional buying across key sectors has reinforced investor confidence even as the country continues to navigate economic reforms under international lending programs.
Around 135,000 new investors have joined the PSX over the last 18 months, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Pakistan’s stock market has emerged as the second-best performing market globally,” the report said. “The rise in the stock market reflects global investors’ confidence in Pakistan’s improved investment environment.”
The development came as the PSX shed a little more than 1,000 points as it closed the weekend session at 184,519 points.
The report said coordinated efforts by Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) have helped stabilize the country’s economy and investment market, elevating it to prominence at the global level.
“Pakistan’s macroeconomic environment has become an attractive and reliable destination for investment,” it quoted Finance Adviser Khurram Schehzad as saying.
On Wednesday, Pakistani stocks climbed to a fresh all-time high with the benchmark KSE-100 Index crossing the 186,000-point mark for the first time as potential foreign inflows upheld the positive sentiment.
