The Karachi administration has sought the closure of schools at and around the Shahrah-e-Faisal and Habib Ibrahim Rahmatullah Road during the upcoming International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2024.

The expo is set to take place from November 19 to 22 at Karachi Expo Centre.

“During this period, movement of dignitaries will frequently take place from hotels to Karachi Expo Centre via Shahrah-e-Faisal and Habib Ibrahim Rahmatullah Road,” the city administration said in a statement on Friday.

The decision is taken to provide “safe and foolproof passage to such high-ups”, it added.

The international exhibition would highlight modern defence equipment and weapons systems produced by both local manufacturers and prominent global firms. It aims to showcase advancements in defence and security technologies.

Organized by the Defence Export Promotion Organisation under the defence ministry and defence production, the exhibition seeks to “enhance the global profile of Pakistan’s defence industry.”

In the previous iteration, IDEAS 2022, a total of 532 companies from 38 different countries displayed their defence offerings. The event attracted 350 delegates from 57 nations, including high-ranking officials such as defence ministers, defence secretaries, and military leaders.