Foreign delegations
Official delegations and their support teams.
Trade fair guide · Karachi
IDEAS 2026: travel planning for visiting delegations in Karachi
IDEAS, the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar, is Pakistan’s own biennial defence show in Karachi. It brings foreign delegations, exhibitors and trade visitors to the city, and the travel planning runs the other way from most of our guides: into Pakistan.
Key facts
IDEAS at a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Dates | 24–27 November 2026, the 13th edition |
| Venue | Karachi Expo Centre, University Road, Gulshan-e-Iqbal |
| Access | Trade visitors and official delegations only |
| Frequency | Every two years |
| Foreign visitors | Most foreign nationals apply through Pakistan’s online visa system; follow the organiser’s guidance for exhibitors and delegates |
| Airport | Jinnah International Airport (KHI) |
| Working week | Monday to Friday; many offices also open on Saturday |
Check before travel: visa rules, fees, processing times and event dates change without notice. This page was checked on 11 November 2026 against the IDEAS 2026 organisers (ideaspakistan.gov.pk). Confirm on the official source, or ask us to check for your trip, before you book anything non-refundable.
Who goes
Who from Pakistan attends IDEAS
International exhibitors
Defence companies exhibiting in Karachi.
Pakistani industry
Local firms meeting foreign partners.
Arrivals
Visas and arrivals for foreign guests
Foreign exhibitors and delegates need the right Pakistani visa for their nationality and purpose. The organiser publishes guidance for exhibitors and official delegations. Apply early, because invitation letters and security clearances can take time, and confirm the visa before booking flights.
Karachi hotels
Where visitors stay
IDEAS fills Karachi’s international hotels, most of which are in the Clifton, Saddar and Shahrah-e-Faisal areas. The Expo Centre is on University Road, and the drive from Clifton can take 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. Groups usually travel with planned vehicles and a coordinator rather than by ride-hailing.
- Reserve hotel blocks early
- Use planned vehicles with a coordinator
- Allow extra time on Shahrah-e-Faisal and University Road
Our role
What Go Global does for IDEAS
We arrange flights, hotel blocks, airport meet-and-greet and ground transport for visiting delegations and exhibitors, and handle outbound travel for Pakistani teams. Clearances and accreditation stay with the organiser and the relevant authorities.
Visitor programme
Making a delegation’s week work
Visiting delegations often combine the show with meetings in Islamabad or Rawalpindi. Domestic flights between Karachi and Islamabad take about two hours, and we schedule them around show days. For exhibitors, freight and temporary import of exhibits run through the organiser’s appointed channels, so align timings early.
For many foreign visitors this is a first trip to Pakistan, so we also brief them on arrival formalities, local SIM cards, currency exchange and the working week.
- Karachi–Islamabad flights around show days
- Meet-and-greet at Jinnah International
- Planned vehicles and a single coordinator
With Go Global
How we plan IDEAS trips
Go Global has handled 100,000+ trips, including exhibition teams and buyer delegations. For IDEAS we confirm the dates with the organiser, plan the visa route first, then book flights, rooms and transfers in Karachi, and our team works 24/7 for travellers on the road.
Timeline
A planning timeline for IDEAS
3 months before
Confirm attendance and visa route.
8 weeks
Hotel blocks in Karachi.
4 weeks
Visas issued; flights booked.
1 week
Vehicles, meet-and-greet and schedule.
Show week
One coordinator for timings and transfers.
FAQ
IDEAS questions
When is IDEAS 2026?
24–27 November 2026 at the Karachi Expo Centre.
How often is IDEAS held?
Every two years.
Can foreign visitors attend?
Trade visitors and official delegations can, with registration and the right visa.
Does Go Global arrange accreditation?
No. We arrange travel, hotels and transfers; accreditation stays with the organiser.
Keep reading
More guides: industries and visa how-tos
Keep reading
More guides: Pakistan cities and services
Plan with Go Global
Planning a IDEAS delegation?
Tell us who is travelling, when and why. We reply with a plan, the visa route and a quote. Go Global has handled 100,000+ trips, and our team works 24/7 for travellers on the road. Email insights@goglobal.pk or WhatsApp 0320-4111222.