Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said today that IDEAS 2024 will not only strengthen Pakistan’s strategic relationships with international partners but will also enhance commercial exchanges among delegates, trade visitors, defence officials, and OEMs from across Pakistan and around the globe.
According to CM House, he said this while addressing the 3rd Steering Committee meeting of the 12th Edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar – IDEAS 2024. Provincial ministers, Major General Asad Nawaz Khan Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military), DG DEPO, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, representatives from federal ministries, the Sindh government, Armed Forces of Pakistan, Law Enforcement Agencies and others attended the meeting.
Mr Shah convened the meeting to finalise the comprehensive plans for the upcoming 12th edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar – IDEAS 2024. IDEAS 2024 is set to take place from November 19 to 22 at the Karachi Expo Centre.
Mr Shah said that IDEAS has, since its inception in 2000, become a hallmark of the national and international defence industry. He added that this biennial event has steadily evolved into a renowned gathering, showcasing state-of-the-art technology and fostering knowledge exchange within Pakistan and beyond.
The CM said that IDEAS is now recognised worldwide, a testament to the deep-rooted and mutually beneficial relationships we maintain with our international partners. ‘It provides a shared platform dedicated to advancing global peace, stability, and prosperity, bringing together foreign delegates, defence manufacturers, and thought leaders to discuss today’s defence and security challenges,’ he said.
The CM said that the significance of meticulous planning and seamless execution has grown immensely. He added that today’s meeting is pivotal, allowing us to assess and ensure alignment with the plans presented by various organisations and departments. ‘Your collective determination and cooperation are essential to the successful realisation of IDEAS 2024, which in turn will be a success for Pakistan as a whole,’ he said and added that he would like to reaffirm the full support and cooperation of his government in all areas necessary to bring this extraordinary event to life.
Second Session: To support the ongoing national-level preparations for this strategically important event, the second session was chaired by the Director General of DEPO, Major General Asad Nawaz Khan, HI(M).
During the meeting, he was informed about the finalisation of administrative, security, and support plans by various government departments, the Armed Forces of Pakistan, and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).
At the conclusion of the session, the DG DEPO emphasised that the event, in line with tradition, will feature a range of remarkable activities, including demonstrations of cutting-edge defence technology, international seminars, cultural shows, and opportunities for business expansion through well-organised Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) engagements.
He also announced that the Karachi Show will be held exclusively for the residents of the city at Sea View (Nishan-e-Pakistan) on November 21, 2024. At the end of the meeting, the CEO of Badar Solutions Zohair Naseer, the Event Manager, said that with the support of armed forces, federal and provincial governments, and law enforcement agencies, the IDEAS 2024 is to be held in a befitting manner.
During the meeting, all government organizations and departments pledged their full support for the successful accomplishment of IDEAS – 2024.