KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday Pakistan was committed to discouraging an arms race in its periphery and promoting `the motto of arms for peace` He was addressing a ceremony before inaugurating the ninth International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) at Karachi`s Expo Centre.

Fifty-five countries, including China, Turkey, Ukraine and the United States, are participating inthe four-day event in which 480 companies, including some local ones, have showcased their defence products.

The prime minister said Pakistan was against an arms race, but wouldpursue the motto of `arms for peace` He said the country had achieved self-reliance in defence production, citing the display of over 2,000 weapons systems and equipment as an example of the capability developed by both public and private sectors.

Mr Sharif said the country`sdefence products were state of the art and stood fully tested by its armed forces.

`Our defence products have made their mark in many countries of the world,` he said, adding that there still existed many opportunities for further growth and exploration of new markets.

He said Pakistan was a fastemerging producer of quality defence products, inviting foreign companies to expand their business linkages with local manufacturers in the field of defence production.

He expressed Pakistan`s commitment to regional peace, saying that `we will explore the way forward for peace and stability in the world, in general, and our region in particular`.

`The environment for foreign investment is encouraging in the country in view of an improved law and order situation. Power projects too are being completed in time,` Mr Sharif observed.

Later the prime minister took a round of eight expo halls.

He was accompanied by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, federal Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, Defence Minister Khwaja Mohammad Asif, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zakaullah and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman.

Mr Sharif said it was heartening to see that a large number of foreign companies were taking part in the defence exhibition. He exchanged views with a number of exhibitors, especially foreign ones.

At a stall put up by Ukraine`s defence ministry, he was welcomed by that country`s defence minister and army chief, Gen Stepan Poltorak.

The prime minister also witnessed a ceremony in which a number of companies signed memorandums of understanding.Meetings with defence minister Nigerian Defence Minister Mansur Mohammad Dan Ali and the Egyptian Minister for Military Production, retired Gen Mohammad Saeed Al Assar, held meetings with Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif at the Expo Centre.

During a meeting with the Nigerian defence minister, who called on him along with other military officials, Mr Asif said Pakistan considered Nigeria a close, friendly and important country in the region.

He conveyed Pakistan`s desire to boost cooperation with Nigeria in all fields, including defence.

In his meeting with the Egyptian minister, Mr Asif termed Egypt an important Muslim country and stressed the need for expanding existing bilateral ties.

He suggested frequent exchanges of military delegations between the two countries, saying that it would help explore avenues of cooperation and collaboration.

The defence minister offered to train Egyptian armed forces personnel at training institutions in Pakistan.

Both sides said they looked forward to exchange visits by technical experts in order to explore areas of joint production.-APP