ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday called for a unified national effort and stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to transform the maritime sector into a catalyst for inclusive growth and unlock its vast potential.
Addressing the soft launch ceremony of the second Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference (PIMEC)-2025, the prime minister laid out the vision for transforming Pakistan into a regional maritime powerhouse, declaring the “blue economy” as Pakistan’s “new economic frontier”.
With over 1,000 kilometers of coastline and a position at the crossroads of vital sea lanes, the prime minister said, Pakistan was uniquely positioned to harness the trillion-dollar blue economy globally. “Even tapping a fraction of this economy could be a real game-changer,” he said.
“Our coastal trade already brings in nearly $7 billion a year and just imagine the potential if we fully develop this sector,” he said. He lauded the Pakistan Navy and the Maritime Affairs Ministry for their strategic foresight and dedication in steering this important initiative.
On the occasion, Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry outlined the government’s strategic roadmap for the maritime sector. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to building a vibrant blue economy and introduced the “Maritime at 100” Vision.
He explained that the “Maritime at 100” was a long-term plan to grow this sector into a $100 billion economic force by 2047. “The oceans are not just water bodies, they are economic lifelines. Pakistan must position itself as a regional maritime hub,” he said.
Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff Commodore Ahsan Ali Khan emphasised the vast economic potential of oceans. He noted that oceans were increasingly being tapped for tourism, renewable energy, aquaculture, and extraction of valuable resources like hydrocarbons and minerals.
Meanwhile, talking to Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam during the PIMEC-2025, the prime minister discussed the current regional situation, according to the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing a press release.
Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of the recent Israeli aggression against Iran and expressed the nation’s sympathies with the brotherly neighbour over the martyrdom of its innocent civilians.
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s solidarity with Iran and its people during this time of heightened tension. He termed the Israeli attacks on Iran a complete violation of the UN Charter and the international laws.
Referring to his recent telephone conversation with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, the prime minister said that Pakistan supported Iran at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting, the press release added.
(WITH INPUT FROM APP)
