Pakistan Maritime security has emerged as a prominent term in the field of international relations. Key stakeholders in the fields of maritime policy, ocean governance, and international security have implemented significant changes in their operations to align with these principles. In 2014, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the African Union initiated a comprehensive maritime security policy. Pakistan possesses a coastline that spans 1046 kilometers along the temperate waters of the Arabian Sea. Pakistan possesses an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) continental shelf spanning 290,000 square kilometers. Our nation is situated at the intersection between South Asia and the Gulf Region, serving as a direct link to the world’s most heavily trafficked marine route. The economy of Pakistan relies significantly on maritime trade. Efficient transfer is crucial for promoting commercial and economic development, as well as attracting domestic and foreign investment in the country. Pakistan’s ports facilitate maritime connection for the landlocked countries of Central Asian Republics and Afghanistan, serving as crucial hubs for their cargo needs. These ports are being developed as part of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Route initiative under the China Global Initiative. Today, Pakistan’s significance in the marine domain has grown significantly. The CPEC Port Gwadar continues to be the focal point of the Maritime Silk Route (MSR) and is poised to become a significant economic hub both regionally and globally. The 21st-century Maritime Silk Route (MSR) links a sequence of ports throughout Asia, Europe, and Africa. An environment characterized by worldwide and local integration through economic, commerce, interpersonal interactions, and research and development. Nevertheless, it is crucial to analyze Pakistan’s achievements in the marine sector by focusing on the management of nontraditional security challenges in the oceans. Pakistan is one of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean, having a coastal line of 900 km, of which 700 km, or 75 percent, falls in the Makran Coastal Line, Baluchistan. Twenty-five percent of Pakistan’s coastline is located in Sindh, specifically in Karachi, Thatta, and the Badin Indus Delta. The country’s coastline previously spanned a length of 1,644 kilometers, providing access from Jiwani to the Bay of Bengal. Pakistan is highly apprehensive about the evolving security scenario in the Indian Ocean as a coastal state. Pakistan prioritizes maritime security as a primary focus in addressing counterterrorism, piracy, armed robberies, drug trafficking, and other criminal activities. Pakistan prioritizes its marine policy in multiple nations. Pakistan became a member of the Anticommunist Treaty headed by the United States. This treaty, known as the South Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), was signed on September 8, 1954, in Manila and officially established in Bangkok in February 1955. The objective was to enhance Pakistan’s terrestrial, aerial, and maritime defense capabilities. Maritime security has emerged as a prominent term in the field of international relations. Prominent stakeholders in maritime policy, ocean governance, and international security have implemented significant changes in their operations accordingly. In 2014, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the African Union initiated an ambitious maritime security policy. Pakistan is endowed with a 1046-kilometer long coastline that stretches along the temperate waters of the Arabian Sea. Pakistan possesses an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) continental shelf spanning 290,000 sq km. Our nation is situated at the intersection of South Asia and the Gulf Region, providing direct access to the world’s most heavily trafficked marine route. Pakistan’s economy relies significantly on maritime trade. Efficient transfer is vital for promoting commercial and economic development and for attracting domestic and foreign investment in the country. Pakistan ports facilitate maritime connection for the landlocked Afghanistan and the Central Asian Republics, serving as crucial hubs for their freight needs. These ports are being developed as part of the China Global Initiative of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Route. Today, Pakistan’s significance in the marine domain has significantly grown. The CPEC Port Gwadar continues to be the focal point of the Maritime Silk Route (MSR) and is poised to become a significant economic hub both regionally and globally. The 21st-century Maritime Silk Route (MSR) links a sequence of harbors in Asia, Europe, and Africa. The era of ocean civilization and the blue economy is the twenty-first century. The land economy is being forced into the ocean sector by economic globalization. The term “blue economy,” which is often referred to as “blue growth,” is frequently used in business and economics courses. Controlling the use, upkeep, development, sustainability, and preservation of the state’s limited blue resources—also referred to as marine or coastal resources—is the primary goal of the blue economy. Blue resources include rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans. The primary blue resources that can boost any state’s economic growth are at the center of the blue economy concept itself. Major economic issues or concerns pertaining to development, sovereignty, security, and the availability of food and energy, as well as the management of natural resources, can also be addressed with the use of these blue resources. Economic experts think that this industry has the potential to generate over a million jobs in Pakistan if the blue resources are used well. The maritime sector of Pakistan is one of the primary components of its national economic and military power, as 95% of its trade is going through the sea. The open sea offers the chance for unrestricted trade and access to all nations worldwide. Pakistan needs to act now to raise national awareness of maritime issues by implementing comprehensive and practical measures. It must eventually face the sea in order to mine its wealth and satisfy future demands. Pakistan, as a developing nation, needs to give the maritime industry more importance if it wants to reap sufficient economic rewards. Marine power not only covers marine defense but also ports and harbors, trade ships and its connected infrastructure. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is an example of a project where the involved parties are using their marine space as a potential resource and appreciating its value. The primary goals of CPEC are to advance regional integration, Pakistan’s economic growth, and China’s hegemonic position in the waterways. Pakistan’s vast coastline, natural harbors, marine resources, continuous maritime trade, highly skilled labor force, etc. are all gifts from nature. As it manages and facilitates the inland transit commerce for Afghanistan, Central Asia, and other nations, Pakistan enjoys a strategic edge.18 Pakistan is currently experiencing the first wave of the blue economy. Although the benefits to humans are estimated to be between $5 and $6 billion, the global blue or ocean economy is valued at $24 trillion. Though Pakistan’s annual gains from the blue economy are only $450 million, South Asian countries such as Bangladesh and India reap billions of dollars from this industry. The actual potential of Pakistan’s blue economy is more than $100 billion. There is a plethora of opportunities for commercial ventures, especially industrial ones, on and near the water; South Asia is no exception. Among the well-known commercial activities conducted on and near the water are aquaculture, fishing, mineral extraction, transportation, and tourism. It is advised that all activities, no matter how big or small, on or around the water will adhere to the Blue Economy Concept. Shipbuilding, shipping, and ship scrapping are three more highly significant economic activity that can fit in the notion quite nicely The Blue Economy Concept may very well be implemented in the recycling process of ship scrapping, which simultaneously preserves the natural source of a highly sought-after base metal and directly contributes to national growth. In summary, there are countless possibilities because water promotes sustainable life and helps people thrive The Blue-Collar Economy However, to attain long-term sustainable prosperity, significant research, political commitments, and a mindset to maximize dependency are needed. Let’s declare ourselves the Blue Economy Concept’s champions today, and let the Concept itself be the winners. Pakistan has become a significant coastal state in the Indian Ocean. The task of ensuring the security of maritime lines of communication (SLOC) is of great significance. Hence, the Pakistan Navy’s response holds great significance. It is steadily and progressively establishing itself in all areas. It endeavors to maintain its significance and continually adapts to address the growing challenges in this domain. The Indian presence in the Indian Ocean and their influence have heightened the rivalry and potential for confrontation. The unconventional threats in the region have the potential to significantly undermine the national interests of the country.
Pakistan’s emphasis on maritime security and blue economy development
