The biennial International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2022 commenced at the Expo Center in Karachi on Tuesday after a gap of four years, a delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
IDEAS is a defence exhibition which brings together the defence industry’s players across the globe to showcase the latest technological innovations.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari inaugurated the 11th edition of the exhibition, which will continue until Friday. The previous defence exhibition held at the same venue was in 2018. As is the tradition of the usually biannual event since year 2000, IDEAS 2022 will showcase a number of splendid activities encompassing the world’s advanced defence technology demonstrations, international seminars, the IDEAS Karachi Show, networking, and business expansions through business-to-business and business-to-government engagements.
Addressing the ceremony, Bilawal welcomed all guests to the “special edition of innovation and excellence”. He remarked that the incumbent government inherited an economic catastrophe as Pakistan was on the precipice of default, however, he credited the concerted efforts from the coalition “for the unity that helped the economy” survive an imminent danger.
According to state radio and PTV, Federal Minister for Defence Production Israr Tareen, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and civil and military officials attended the inaugural ceremony.
Around 300 exhibitors from 32 countries display their latest and innovative products, while more than 500 national and international delegates are taking part in the exhibition, the state-run radio service reported.
Apart from the six halls of the Expo Centre, three marquees have also been set up, one of which has been named after Kashmir. The 10th edition of IDEAS in 2018 had some 45 countries exhibiting their products and this year that number has grown to 64. The Karachi Show will also be held on Thursday at Nishan-e-Pakistan on the beach for the citizens.
Traffic plan:
Meanwhile, a traffic plan has been issued for the IDEAS-22, according to which Sir Shah Sulaiman Road will remain closed from 7 am to 6 pm during the exhibition and only vehicles with permits will be allowed to enter the Expo Centre. Traffic coming from Shahrah-e-Faisal, Nursery will not be allowed to proceed to the expo beyond the stadium. Traffic coming from Karsaz, Drigh Road, and Shahrah-e-Faisal will move to NIPA from Millennium Mall. Traffic from Rashid Minhas Road will not be allowed to go to Dalmia Road via the stadium.
Apart from this, NIPA, Drigh Road to Shahrah-e-Faisal to Safora and Gulshan Chowrangi to Sohrab Gothwala Road will remain open. Heavy and commercial traffic will not be allowed from NIPA to People’s Chowrangi.
