1
HOW MARITIME AWARENESS CAN HELP IN A NATION’S
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMY
Abstract
A country can only progress once it is fully
aware of its resources and then devising
accurate policies to explore the same and
extract benefits. To achieve it education of
general masses of a state is essential which
will lead the public to realise importance of
maritime sector. Once it is achieved,
Government must deploy resources,
infrastructure which is deemed necessary to
create opportunities and jobs. Assets of a
country are of principle value and often-
hostile forces bat evil eyes, hence it’s
necessary to safeguard those interests.
Pakistan has been very keen in realization
as well as adoption of measures for
safeguarding one of its strategic sectors.
INTRODUCTION
When we talk about progress, it is never a
product of a single day of effort, hard work
or some sort of jackpot wins in a lottery. The
focus is on development of the country’s
progress. Efforts stretching through greater
magnitudes include harmony within
Government, unified response of citizens as
a single state. Most importantly is awareness
of the general public about principles of
economy, which are essential to run the
wheels of progress. One such platform of
development, rather an untapped one
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(meaning not to the full potential) resource

in Pakistan is the maritime sector.

AWARENESS THROUGH EDUCATION

The world was revolutionized when

industrial revolution took place though, it
did not happen in just one night. Centuries Fig
1
of human scientific discoveries, innovation (Ch
and advancement in education, when ildr
en
combined together led us to Industrial
Revolution. This leads us to conclude that
progress is like a chain reaction with
smaller achievements producing the final
desired result. Similarly, if a nation wishes
to enhance its economy that too, by receiving education)

exploring a particular sector then it needs to

start with the basics i.e. bringing awareness
among the public and investing more capital
and resources into it.
Taking into consideration the maritime
sector exclusively of Pakistan, it can be
deduced that the public is not very well
informed, the tourism and employment
prospects included. Hence, in terms of
development of the maritime domain,
Pakistan has been lagging behind.
Therefore, it is in the interest of the
Government and the public sector to invest
in promoting this sector highlighting its
benevolent and profit making aspects while
apprising the masses about hidden attractive
potential in this sector is.
Pakistan has a large coastline of
approx. 800 Km running through Sindh and
Balochistan and contains a lot of untapped
potential. Major reason are the locals living
there who are not aware about the fact that
how this can add to upgradation of their
lifestyle as well as nation’s economy.
Schooling can help children realise
about Pakistan’s maritime resources,
meanwhile appreciating the beauty of our
maritime sector such as Churna Island
brings to it.
Fig 2 (Charna Island)
EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS
Due to the vast potential of maritime
sector it also provides numerous
employment opportunities. Especially the
locals living in the coastal areas of Pakistan
would benefit the most. Though it is
necessary that Government of Pakistan
devise plans and schemes which allow
investment of the Government as well as the
private sector to open doors of opportunity.
Focusing on the term investment, it would
mean to capitalize the sector - to achieve this
let’s break it into two:-
Tourism The world is full of examples of
nations who have used their natural beauty
to their own benefit to the point that it
contributes significantly to their economy.
Pakistan’s Northern Areas flourished,
though unfortunately the tourism industry
hasn’t yet imagined the possibility of the
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same happening in our coastal belt. The fact
that Pakistan has an appreciable length of
coastal stretch but with minimal
development should now be a priority of the
Government. This can start with investment
in the enhancement of tourists spots by
improvement of infrastructure, opening
picnic spots, resorts and miscellaneous water
sports and recreational activities. Often the
locals resist changes to their hometowns
with the argument that it may destroy their
natural habitat or disrupt their lifestyle, thus
being the biggest obstacle of educational
awareness. When the people would know
that such developments are in the interest of
general public and nation altogether, the
attitude would be forthcoming leading to
upgrade their lifestyle.
Tourism would surely create job
opportunities for the people of coastal areas,
for example, tourists love sightseeing, boat
rides and fishing sports locals can act as
good guides for tours or boat coaxing for
boat rides. Many love fish when it is caught
fresh; this would enhance the income of
those locals whose primary income is
fishing. On the other hand locals have the
fear that people coming from all sectors of
life put their culture at risk thus, it is the
Government’s responsibility to take robust
measures to overcome such fears of the
locals the regulate conduct of the tourists at
the beaches and Islands.
Fig 3 (People love Jet Ski and boat rides as it is a favorite pass
time on beaches. This picture is from Karachi)
Fishing Industry
Fish is not just a major export unit around
the world but it also plays a significant role
in the economy of Pakistan. Pakistan has a
lot of potential of marine based activities yet
to be discovered. Fishing Industry of
Pakistan is managed by Fisheries
Development Commissioner, which is
operating under Ministry of Food and
Agriculture. It cannot be neglected that
Fishing plays a vital role in the domestic
needs of the locals, playing as major part of
their income. The industry contains a lot of
potential, yet needs to be harnessed.
Government should invest and provide
incentives for those involved in the fishing
industry. Ideally if a small-scale fisherman
receives capital to improve his fishing
equipment, fish catching of locals is
increased multifold. Karachi’s Fisheries
harbour is an example where fish is caught
in bulk amounts regularly despite the
unhygienic conditions in the area. Despite
all people still love buying fresh fish of the
sea. In terms of hygiene, Government should
prioritize further in the fishing industry in
form of capital, resources and safe, healthy
working conditions consequently this will
definitely attract local and foreign
customers.
Fig 4 (Fishing boats anchored at Karachi fishing harbour)
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IMPORTANCE OF MARITIME
DETERRENCE
It is essential to maintain the law and
order and safeguard the interests of the
country where it is keen to invest and
explore resources. Therefore, if Pakistan
seeks to enhance its maritime sector and to
make the most of it, it becomes important to
protect State’s strategic geographic location,
such as the exclusive economic zone.
Undeniably, Pakistan enjoys a very
important and strategic location in the world
and history is evident to it. Naturally hostile
forces are adamant to sabotage the strategic
locations, which are of principle value to
Pakistan. No nation can fully capitalize on
its resources until they are free from foreign
interferences. To counter such threats
Pakistan is equipped with an active and
potent maritime force that is safeguarding
Nation’s maritime interests, 24 hours a day
and 365 days a year. Pakistan’s coastal
defence responsibility can be divided upon
two organisations namely, Pakistan Navy
and Maritime Security Agency.
Pakistan Navy
Pakistan Navy has a very active role in
protecting the coastal areas of the state. The
main responsibility of keeping the hostile
forces outside its territorial waters and
monitoring the passage within its Exclusive
Economic Zone(EEZ) lies with PN. PN
consists of one squadron of destroyer class
DESRON 25 and one squadron of frigates
DESRON 18. In addition to them,
AUXMIN-9 squadron consists of ships
responsible for logistical support and mine
clearance operations. Pakistan also has a
well establish Pak Marines setup always
ready to protect the creeks and coastal areas.
Last but not the least The Aviation squadron
of Navy have been of utmost importance to
Pakistan. The recent detection of Indian
Submarine by Naval Aviation’s P3-C
ORION reinstates the former. The
surveillance and reconnaissance capability
of the Lockheed Martin’s P3-C ORION has
benefited Pakistan to the maximum and
helped it to maintain its deterrence around
maritime frontiers.
Fig 5 (Pak Navy ships taking part in a routine exercise)
Pakistan Maritime Security Agency
PMSA is operating under direct command of
Ministry of Defence of Pakistan but the
personnel operating the agency are sent as
deputation from Pakistan Navy. The
agency’s main role is to take robust and
swift action to safe guard the sea frontiers
from pouching, Illegal resource utilization,
human trafficking and smuggling by foreign
intruders and local rogue elements who
often ingress our Exclusive Economic Zone
(EEZ).Though currently with a small fleet,
Pakistan surely intends to expand the agency
realizing the growing importance of
maritime sector.
CONCLUSION
Economic stability and prosperity can be
achieved when Government realize the full
potential of its unique and important
resources like maritime sector and
continuously invest in those to accrue
maximum benefit. In order to maintain the
level of stability and protection of maritime
economic interests, it is essential that proper
safeguards are enforced to deny the hostile
forces use of our maritime resources. In the
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light of preceding discussion, Government

of Pakistan needs to realize the importance
of maritime sector to ensure sustained
national development and should make
exponential investments to promote the
maritime sector at national and international
level. At the same time, Pakistan Naval Fleet
and Maritime Security Agency should also
be provided with required resources in the
shape of state of the art platforms and
weapons to thwart any possible future Figure 1: S/LT MUHMMAD UMAIR ARIF PN
seaward threats.

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REFERENCES
Fig 1:
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/06/28/privat
e-schools-cannot-charge-fees-for-summer-break-sc-
rules/
Fig 2: https://www.getout.pk/pakistan/sindh/churna-
island/
Fig 3:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLin
k-g295414-d4868342-i151754524-Far_Adventures- Figure 2: S/LT KHAYYAM JAVED PN
Karachi_Sindh_Province.html
Fig 4: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-
photo/fishing-boats-are-anchored-at-karachi-fish-
harbour-off-the-news-photo/458040564
Fig 5:
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/08/09/comm
issioning-ceremony-of-pmsa-ship-pmss-zhob-held/
Cross Domain Deterrence by Dr. Maria Sultan,
Pakistan Army Green Book 2020.
Pakistan’s Maritime Resource and Untapped
Maritime Vista by Khalid Rehman, Pakistan Army
Green Book 2020.
Socio Economic Impact of CPEC on Pakistan by
Raza Muhammad and Dr. Lubna Abid Ali, Marglla
Papers 2019, National Defense University of
Pakistan.