Islamabad:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on Monday a unified national effort and a strong collaboration between the public and private sectors to transform the maritime sector into a inclusive growth catalyst and unlock its large potential.
Addressing the gentle launching ceremony of the second Pakistani International Maritime Exhibition and Conference (PIMEC) -2025, the Prime Minister exposed the vision of Pakistan’s transformation into a regional maritime power, declaring “the blue economy” as “new economic border” in Pakistan.
With more than 1,000 kilometers from coastal and a position at the crossroads of vital sea routes, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan was only positioned to exploit the blue billion in the world. “Even pressing a fraction of this economy could change the game,” he said.
“Our coastal trade already reports nearly $ 7 billion a year and simply imagine the potential if we fully develop this sector,” he said. He praised the Pakistani navy and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs for their strategic providents and their dedication in the direction of this important initiative.
On this occasion, the Minister of Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry described the government’s strategic roadmap for the maritime sector. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to build a dynamic blue economy and introduced the “Maritime at 100” vision.
He explained that the “Maritime at 100” was a long-term plan to transform this sector into an economic force of $ 100 billion by 2047. “The oceans are not only water bodies, they are economic lines. Pakistan must position itself as a regional sea center,” he said.
The deputy chief of the naval staff Commodore Ahsan Ali Khan underlined the vast economic potential of the oceans. He noted that the oceans were increasingly exploited for tourism, renewable energies, aquaculture and the extraction of precious resources such as hydrocarbons and minerals.
Meanwhile, speaking to the Iranian ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam during Pimec-2015, the Prime Minister discussed the current regional situation, according to the Prime Minister’s media office, a press release.
Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s conviction of the recent Israeli aggression against Iran and expressed the sympathies of the nation with the fraternal neighbor on the martyrdom of his innocent civilians.
The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s solidarity with Iran and his people during this increased period of tension. He described Israeli attacks on Iran a complete violation of the Charter of United Nations and international laws.
Referring to his recent telephone conversation with Iranian President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan supported Iran at the meeting of the United Nations Security Council (USC), added the press release.
(With application input)
