KARACHI, Pakistan: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed the resolve to equip the military with modern equipment for protection of country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In his address at the inauguration ceremony of the four-day 8th international defense exhibition and Seminar IDEAS 2014 at Expo Center in Karachi on Monday, the premier said that the nation is committed to provide its defenders with all the necessary resources for this vital mission.
The prime minister said that Pakistan’s unique geo strategic location and proximity calls for unceasing efforts towards protecting the sovereignty of the country.
Sharif said that threat to national security has multiplied with emergence of non-state actors including terrorists and computer hackers.
“We need to develop new tools and gadgets to effectively deal with these threats,” he said.
The premier also appreciated the sacrifices rendered by the armed forces in the war on terror, and reaffirmed the commitment to make Zarb-e-Azb operation successful to rid the country of terrorism.
Nawaz Sharif said that the government is also mindful of other challenges faced by Pakistan including poverty, illiteracy and under development.
“We will lay the foundation of a competitive economy and infrastructure to put the country on the path of sustainable development,” he said.
Earlier, the prime minister inaugurated the 8th biennial international defence exhibition IDEAS 2014 in Karachi.
An important aspect of the event will be an international defence seminar to be held this evening. Russia will make its first appearance in the exhibition.
Several high-level meetings between foreign delegates, key government officials and participants have been planned on the sidelines of the exhibition for forging alliances in defence production.
Some of the major indigenously developed products to be showcased included Main Battle Tank Al-Khalid, JF-17 Thunder Fighter Aircraft, Armoured Personnel Carriers and missile boats.
As many as 136 international and 34 Pakistani companies are participating in the four-day defence exhibition.
