The 12th edition of defence exhibition and seminar, IDEAS 2024, kicked off in the Karachi Expo Center on Tuesday.
The exhibition has been organized to showcase a wide range of modern and traditional defense equipment, weapon systems and vehicles. Global defense experts are showing deep interest in the IDEAS 2024 exhibition.
Defense production and exports are amongst the priorities of Special Investment Facilitation Council.
DG Rangers Sindh, Major General Shamriz, arrived at the exhibition where he visited various stalls showcasing Sindh’s military capabilities. He inspected armored vehicles and also reviewed modern rones and firearms.
The staff provided a detailed briefing to Major General Shamriz regarding the equipment on display.
International trade and military delegations were also part of the exhibition, with 330 representatives from 55 countries participating.
Khawaja Asif highlights Pakistan's defense industry potential at IDEAS Exhibition
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif welcomed international delegates to the IDEAS defense exhibition, emphasizing its significance as a platform for addressing technical matters and fostering regional and global collaboration.
"The delegates from around the world will gain valuable insights and opportunities through this exhibition," said Khawaja Asif, adding that the event would also serve as a regional gateway for defense cooperation.
He highlighted Pakistan’s growing defense industry, stressing the role of public-private partnerships in advancing defense production and boosting exports to strengthen the economy. "Pakistan's economy is moving towards positive indicators, and there are immense opportunities for investment and joint projects," he stated.
Reiterating Pakistan's commitment to global peace, the defense minister said, "Pakistan is a responsible nation, playing a key role in maintaining peace worldwide. Dialogue and strengthened relations are essential for regional peace, social, and economic development."
The IDEAS exhibition, he noted, would contribute to enhancing Pakistan’s defense production capabilities while showcasing the country as a hub for innovation and collaboration in the defense sector.
Ahsan Iqbal stresses for education reform and innovation in Pakistan
Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, speaking at a ceremony, underscored the importance of modernizing Pakistan's education system to align with global trends.
He emphasized that curriculum reforms were intended to enhance education, not to create controversies.
"We must focus on equipping our students with intellectual thinking and preparing them for rapid global changes," the minister said. Highlighting a recent education report from 134 districts, he expressed concern that no province ranked in the high category, with 77 districts performing poorly. He also pointed to cases of cheating, noting instances where high board marks were inconsistent with overall district performance.
Ahsan Iqbal discussed the challenges in implementing Vision 2025, which outlined key projects, including curriculum reforms, teacher training, and examination system modernization. "The Ministry of Education has failed to deliver on these initiatives over the past eight years," he remarked, adding that while the Islamabad Board has made progress, provinces remain behind.
He reiterated that improving the curriculum, modernizing exams, and ensuring teacher training are critical to Pakistan's educational progress. "The real challenge for any country is bringing innovation in education, and it is our responsibility to lead this change," he concluded.
