Says Pakistan against arms race however would pursue the motto of ‘arms for peace’
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has formally inaugurated the ninth four-day International Defence Exhibition and Seminar-2016 at Expo Centre in Karachi today (Tuesday).
Addressing the participants, the Prime Minister said Pakistan pursues the motto of arms for peace, which has always been the tagline of IDEAS.
The PM said the country’s defence products were state-of-the-art and stood fully tested by its armed forces.
“Our defence products have made their mark in many countries of the world,” he said, adding there still existed many opportunities for further growth and exploration of new markets.
He said Pakistan was fast emerging producer of quality defence products.
“The promise of today’s Pakistan is brighter and reassuring than every before,” he said.
He invited foreign companies to expand their business linkages with Pakistan in the field of defence production.
He expressed Pakistan’s commitment for regional peace, saying that “we will explore the way forward for peace and stability in the world in general and our region in particular”.
Nawaz Sharif said the environment for foreign investment was encouraging in the country in view of improved law and order situation, besides power projects being completed on time.
He congratulated the organizers of sideline conferences during IDEAS 2016, which he said would facilitate exchanging technologies for mutual benefits and bringing together buyers and sellers – one of the core objectives of the country’s defence exhibitions.
Later, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the exhibition, flanked by Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman.
The premier also visited the stalls of the IDEAS exhibition where major indigenously developed products have been showcased including battle tank Al-Khalid, JF-17 Thunder, Super Mushshak and K-8 aircraft, Fast Attack Craft Missile boats, armoured personnel carriers and military hardware.
The prime minister was apprised that defence industries of Turkey, China, Russia, North America, South America, Europe and Asia had a significant presence at IDEAS 2016, while nine more countries were participating this time including Belarus, Poland, Czech Republic, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Switzerland, Romania and Nigeria.
Thirty-four countries and a total of 418 companies are participating in IDEAS 2016, including 261 foreign and 157 Pakistani companies.
The exhibition will continue till November 25.
He said over two thousand weapons system and equipment on display in the exhibition also reflect broad-based participation of Pakistan’s public and private sector in defence production and export, supported by research and development.
He said IDEAS-2016 demonstrates results of collaboration of local and foreign technologies. These efforts have resulted in achieving self-reliance in defence production and opening up for exports.
The Prime Minister said defence products of Pakistan are state of the art and stand fully tested by our own armed forces. Our defence products have made their mark in many countries of the world. He, however, said there are many opportunities for further growth and exploration of new markets.
He said Pakistan is fast emerging producer of quality defence products, promising today’s Pakistan is brighter and reassuring than every before. He invited foreign companies to expand their business linkages with Pakistan.
According to Radio Pakistan, 90 delegates from forty three countries are participating in the event.
The exhibition is being arranged by Defense Export and Promotion Organization under the theme of “Arms for Peace.”
According to organizers, JF-Thunder, K8 Aircraft, Al-Khalid Tank, Fast Attack Craft Missile Boat and other defense products will be showcased in the exhibition.
IDEAS 2016, being the most strategically important event of the region, will once again bring together twenty-one foreign and one hundred fifty seven national firms who will showcase their products in the exhibition. The four days of the show are exclusively for trade visitors and high official defence delegates.
The most productive geopolitical region of Asia is one of the largest markets for Defence Products. In a bid to effectively meet the new challenge posed by the transformed regional and global security dynamics, Asia as well as governments of the neighboring continent of Africa allocates significant budgets for modernization and up-gradation programs for their armed forces.
‘Heavy Machine Gun PK-16’ & ‘Light Sniper Rifle’ launched
WahCantt (PR): Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif inaugurated “Heavy Machine Gun PK-16” while Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif NI(M) launched newly developed.
“The Light Sniper Rifle” produced by POF Wah at POF Stall on 1st day of IDEAS-2016 at Expo Centre Karachi. Mr. Khawaja Asif Federal Minister for Defence & Rana Tanveer Hussain Federal Minister for Defence Production were also accompanying with the Prime Minister during the visit of POF Stall.
The main features of HMG PK-16 Gun is the considerable reduction in its weight and mount combined which is 31 Kg as compared to 92 Kg of the existing weapon of the same category.
The compact structure will now allow just two infantry soldiers to carry the weapon thus providing maximum flexibility and agility in deployment. It can also be installed on any armoured vehicle with an effective range of 1500-1600 meter. Armed forces felt the need for a much lighter, more compact and reliable HMG rifle to support its operations. POF R&D accepted the challenge and meticulous efforts have resulted indigenously crafted HMG PK-16 a gas operated, air cooled and belt fed automatic weapon for infantry.The Light Sniper Rifle 7.62 x 51 mm caliber rifle, weighing 5.68kg has been developed by POF on the world’s best known, accurate and reliable surgeon scalpel actions. POF deployed its resources to produce the light sniper rifle in order to meet the growing demand for precision sniper rifle. POF made barrel of Moly Chrome Vanadium Steel has been used with side folding stocks which are adjustable for comb height and length of pull. A Quad rail with key holes has also been incorporated in this rifle. It has a twist rate of 1:12 and the trigger pull has also been made adjustable from 0.5-2.5 Kg, operating with bolt action two forward locking lugs, magazine capacity of 5-10 rounds and a muzzle velocity of 800-820 meters/second. Army Chief was told that POF Light Sniper Rifle’s effectiveness has been rigorously tested, and it showed positive results.
Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif & Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif expressed their satisfaction over the quality standard of POF products and lauded the achievements of POF R&D department by producing a light weight gun HMG PK-16 & Sniper Rifle for infantry indigenously.
Earlier Prime Minister & Chief of Army Staff were warmly received by Lt Gen Omar Mahmood Hayat, HI(M) Chairman POF Board at POF stall and briefed them about the capabilities and new developments of POF.
