Over 400 foreign, local firms to exhibit products at IDEAS, 261 foreign firms to attend IDEAS 2016.

Over 400 foreign, local firms to exhibit products at IDEAS, 261 foreign firms to attend IDEAS 2016.

KARACHI: The defence industries of Turkey, China, Russia, North America, South America, Europe and Asia will have a significant presence at the 9th International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS), which is to open at the Karachi Expo Centre on Tuesday (Nov 22).

Photo Source: pakconnects

Addressing a press conference regarding the 9th IDEAS 2016 starting from November 22 at the Karachi Expo Center, Director Media Defense Export Promotion Organization Commodore Tahir Javed said that the exhibition has been extended from all the previous IDEAS expos and foreign defense delegations have responded positively over the invitations and 90 delegations from 43 countries are participating in the exhibition.

He said that two MoUs were signed in 2014, while this year 14 MoUs will be signed. The International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) is the biggest defence exhibition of international stature, held biennially in Pakistan. The route leading to the Expo Centre from Karachi Airport has been decorated with national flags and buntings and the traffic police have announced alternate routes as the four-day International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2016 is set to begin on Nov 22.

Some 418 firms from 34 countries would exhibit their products, of which, 261 are foreign, he added. Moreover, 90 delegations would represent 43 countries. Thirty of them would be headed by defence ministers, secretaries, chiefs of defence staff or services chiefs of respective countries.

Pakistan would showcase main battle tank Al Khalid, JF-17 Thunder, Super Mushshak, K-8 aircraft, Fast Attack Craft Missile boats, armoured personnel carriers, premium grade military hardware and related technology, Commodore Javed said.

Chinese and Turkish exhibitors have been allotted separate pavilions to showcase their defence equipment.

The number of Russian exhibitors has also increased to three this year from only one during the last exhibition. Russian state-controlled arms’ import and export firm, Russia Rosoboronexport, is among them.

T he motorists have been requested to follow the following instructions to avoid any inconvenience.

1)   All Commercial vehicles coming from Karachi Airport towards Stadium via Karsaz will be diverted towards Baloch Colony, `U' turn from Tipu Sultan Bridge towards Shaheed-e-Millat Road to approach Jail Flyover, University Road, Gharibabad etc.

2)   University Road both tracks will remain open for vehicular Traffic. However,

i) All commercial vehicles coming from SITE area to proceed

Shara-e-Faisal or Karsaz will be diverted from Liaquatabd No.10 to Shara-e-Pakistan.

ii) All vehicles coming from Liaquatabd, Gharibabad to proceed Shara-e-Faisal or Karsaz will be diverted before Hassan Square Flyover (left) towards Sahba Akhtar Road, Machli Cut, University Road University Road to NIPA and `U' Turn towards Rashid Minhas to Drig Road and Shara-e-Faisal. Hassan Square Flyover will remain closed.

3)   During Exhibition Sir Shah Suleman Road from Hassan Square up to Stadium Intersection will be closed.

4)   Only sticker bearing vehicles will be allowed to proceed from Stadium Bridge to Karachi Expo Center for their designated parking area. However rest of the vehicular Traffic will be diverted towards Stadium Road under Stadium Bridge right towards Dalmia and Millennium, similarly left towards Dhoraji, New Town PS etc.

5)   The Public and heavy vehicles coming from Sohrab Goth towards City area are advised to use Shara-e-Pakistan and Sher Shah Soori Road (Nagan Towards Board Office). Similarly Traffic coming from University Road towards City area should use NIPA left turn Rashid Minhas.

6)   Heavy, public and commercial vehicles coming from Karsaz towards Stadium will not be allowed from Karsaz Flyover.

7)   No vehicle will be permitted to park along the route, at and around Expo Centre i.e. Sir Shah Suleman Road Stadium Crossing to Hassan Square and Hassan Square to Bait ul Mukaram Masjid. The route will be kept clear from all parking and other obstructions.

The general information for the residents at and Hassan Square were: All residents at and around area of Hassan Square and other road users are requested to follow instructions of Traffic Police to avoid inconvenience.

-Sir Shah Suleman Road from Hassan Square Bridge up to National Stadium normal traffic will not be allowed. So public is requested to use Sehba Akhtar Road, Machli cut, University Road to NIPA, OR `U' turn Jafri Optics KDA Society, National Stadium Backside, Steel Yar Cut, Stadium Road LDA Office U Turn to Karsaz and onwards.

The people were requested to follow the instructions of Traffic Police. To avoid any inconvenience and Traffic jam situation please call Traffic Police Helpline Rahnuma- 1915. Moreover follow Traffic Police WhatsApp at 0305-9266907, Tune Sindh Police FM Radio 88.6 and follow our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/karachitrafficpolice for update.