ISLAMABAD: Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi said it is matter of great satisfaction that Pakistan Navy is holding its fifth Maritime Security Workshop 2022 (MARSEW-5) at Pakistan Navy War College Lahore. Workshop has become an annual signature event of Pakistan Navy since 2017.

It is heartening to know that MARSEW has evoked growing interest and traction in academic circles and at institutional level. He said such an initiative was needed to fill gap in maritime awareness at national level which is in sync with demands of fast changing global trends. “Understanding Oceans and allied issues are assuming centre stage in global geopolitics and economic security of nations in 21st century.

Pakistan cannot remain oblivious to demands of Blue Economy or developments taking place in Indian Ocean and adjoining waters. Country’s economic future is inextricably linked to sea which serves as mankind’s last reservoir for sustenance. Claims and counter claims over sea resources are spawning friction as never witnessed before. This is so despite oceans and seas are regarded as common heritage of mankind” he added.

CNS Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi said ongoing developments in Indian Ocean have direct bearing on Pakistan’s maritime affairs. National Security Policy of Pakistan (2022-2026) charts paradigm shift from geo-strategy to geo-economics thereby prioritising economic and human security as dominant aspects in overall scheme of national security. In this context, exploitation of Blue Economy for socio- economic prosperity enabled by secure maritime environment necessitates our focused attention.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, related to oceans, requires all major stakeholders including government agencies, policy makers, NGOs, scientists and researchers, over and above local communities to step-up their efforts towards conservation and sustainable use of ocean-based resources to overcome development and sustenance challenges.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 08 2022

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.