Pakistan’s Prime Minister Highlights Arms Race Discouragement and Peace Promotion
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Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan addresses attendees during the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. Headquarters in New York, September 30, 2015. Reuters/Carlo Allegri
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Pakistan is committed to discouraging any arms race in the region, as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif emphasized during the inauguration of the ninth International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) here. He highlighted that the country is exploring the way forward for peace and stability in South Asia.
Addressing the event, Mr. Sharif said Pakistan is committed to promoting the motto of "arms for peace," which has always been the tagline of IDEAS. He expressed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, stating that they will explore the way forward for peace and stability in the world in general and their region in particular.
The Prime Minister also mentioned that the environment for foreign investment is encouraging in the country, with improved law and order and power projects being completed on time. He noted that Pakistan has achieved self-reliance in defense production and that IDEAS2016 was a demonstration of the collaboration of local and foreign technologies.
Over 2,000 weapons systems and equipment on display at the exhibition reflected broad-based participation of the country’s public and private sector in defense production, supported by research and development. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan’s defense products are state-of-the-art and fully tested by its armed forces.
He stated that Pakistan’s defense products have made their mark in many countries of the world and that there still exist many opportunities for further growth and exploration of new markets. The Prime Minister invited foreign companies to expand their business linkages with Pakistan in the field of defense production.
Later, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the exhibition, flanked by Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah, and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman. 34 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.
Reference : https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/Pakistan-committed-to-discouraging-regional-arms-race-Sharif/article16722207.ece
