The 9th International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) opened at the Karachi Expo Centre on Tuesday.

An opening speaker at the event said there are 418 firms from 34 countries participating, out of which 157 are Pakistani firms.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif jointly inaugurated the exhibition, which is set to run from Nov 22-25, alongside Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman.

Although Chinese and Turkish defence industries will have a significant presence, Russia is participating in the event this time in a big way.

The office of deputy inspector general police (traffic) had issued detailed instructions for the regulation of traffic during the exhibition. However, eyewitness reports on social media claim that University Road was shut to traffic under the Nipa bridge.

Massive traffic jams were reported on Shahrah-i-Faisal and the Liaquatabad Flyover to Jamshed Road.