Oceans have always remained momentous in the history of mankind, be it wars, or transportation ocean has always provided a shelter to humans. However, the current era of globalization has enhanced the significance of the ocean as the world is moving from geostrategic to geo-economics, it is quite evident that the ocean will play a significant role in spreading the sphere of influence. The blue economy is a relatively novel concept and has recently gained a lot of consideration. Oceans inject nearly about 1.5 trillion dollars annually into the world’s economy and almost 90% of world trade is done through oceans. Approximately, 350 million jobs are linked to oceans. It is also being anticipated that by 2025, the world’s 34% of crude oil production will come from oceans.
The world is changing and, entering an unprecedented phase where the maritime orientation would be of major importance and would be major strategic calculus. Keeping in view all this Pakistan should take maritime security and blue economy into its main calculus. But unfortunately, our policy analysts and leadership have remained reluctant in pursuing this concept and have agonized much from maritime blindness, but still had remain oblivious to the fact that the oceanic sphere can do more than land orientation.
Blue economy has a lot of potential to be unleashed in Pakistan, particularly with the subsequent development of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a mega project of different subsequent phases that too is gonna open at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. Moreover, it translates that Pakistan can dig out a lot from CPEC and maritime, which can add to our economy, positively.
Moreover, Pakistan is hallowed with 240000 Km of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which has enormous natural resources entailing minerals, hydrocarbons, marine, and fishes, etc. Nonetheless, Pakistan has a very significant maritime transport and trade, about 60% of Pakistan’s national cargo is held port of Karachi with an annual transit of 1700 cargo ships.
Withstanding these facts, Pakistan seems sea blind despite having a good geostrategic location coupling with the Makran coast of 1050 Km adjacent to the Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf. And this significant posture has been neglected because of the land-oriented mindset of Pakistani policymakers. For averting sea blindness, Pakistan should make policies and needs to concentrate on different aspects of the blue economy.
Pakistan’s seafood industry has got a sizeable portion in the contribution of GDP which is approximately 1.8% and its current worth is 1 billion dollars. However, the exports of seafood are only confined to 451 million dollars, yet it can contribute up to 2-2.25 billion dollars if comes up with a proper strategy. Seeking the problems on board, our population is increasing at a very rapid pace, and the growth rate is surging, due to which the scale of food insecurity would become very high in the years to come. With the growth in population, the dietary trends across the world would also change, and this focus on the maritime sector can equate the food security if managed properly.
In expediting and fostering the unleashed potential associated with the Marine sector, Pak Navy has taken remarkable steps for broadcasting the acquaintance of marine progression. Pak navy has taken numerous steps to snap out of the lethargy being laid off in unleashing the potential and in warding off maritime blindness. Under the auspices of the Pak Navy, Maritime Security Workshop is being held annually with the aim of highlighting the prospects of the maritime sector and cultivating a sense of consciousness in the national policy landscape since 2017. In warding off the sea blindness, the Pak Navy is taking wits and other notables on board for effectively fetching benefits out of the marine sector and to make a robust and well-connected policy.
