“The ‘ Global war against Terror’ and Pakistan’s role as a front line state has unfortunately placed Pakistan in the forefront of the global dynamics of terrorism as we fight this war  in an effort to bring safety and security to the global order”. This was stated by Ch. Ahmad Mukhtar, Federal Minister for Defence, in the inaugural Seminar held on 24 November, 2008 at Karachi.

The International Defence Seminar was based on the theme “Adjusting Defence Industry to the Altered Global Security Landscape resultantly Altering Security Paradigm at Global & Regional Levels” and its programme included six talks on the topics like Global War on Terror (GWOT) an Assessment and Future Projection, The role of non-state actors and dialogue within the new asymmetric peace and security constructs, Adapting Armed Forces and defence organizations for asymmetric conflict while retaining their conventional warfare capabilities etc by world renowned speakers like Mr. Mustafa Egeli, Turkey, Mr. Betrand de Fonvielle, France, Mr Fabrizio Giulianini, Italy, Prof. Zhou Rong, China, Mr. Tim Kennedy, USA and Dr. Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema, Pakistan. Mr. Murad Bayor, Under Secretary of Defence Industries, Turkey presided the first session.

Increasing cost of research and development and production, level of technological innovations and availability of dual use technologies propel nations to opt for joint ventures for production of defence systems and equipment. This was stated by Major General Muhammad Farooq, Director General, Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) at the International Defence Seminar.

The seminar was attended by Federal Minister for Defence Production, visiting Defence Ministers, and Foreign high level Military officials, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Tariq Majid; among others were eminent speakers and defence delegations from across the globe representing a large number of countries. Their presence and forthright commitment has brought overwhelming presence and trade activity and dispelled the image of Pakistan standing alone in the war against terror’.