Sharif Invites Foreign Defense Firms To 'Make In Pakistan'

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif invited foreign companies to expand their business linkages with Pakistan in the field of defence production.

“Pakistan was committed to discouraging arms race and promoting “the motto of arms for peace, which has always been the tagline of IDEAS,” Sharif was quoted as saying by The News at the inauguration of four-day ninth International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) on Tuesday.

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.

He 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.

Earlier this month, The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex invited private sector to undertake new design and development programs that include parts for JF-17 Thunder, upgrading Mushshak aircraft, drones in the country.

“There is need for exploring possibilities to collaborate in the defense industry and PAC has identified four areas for the private sector in defense-related aviation sector; upgrade of PAC Kamra for manufacturing of auto parts, commercial engines and industrial gas turbines and calibration of equipment,” PAC Chief Air Marshal Malik had said during his visit to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry