ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday highlighted the need for a secure shipping environment in a message marking World Maritime Day, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting the country’s maritime ecosystem.
Earlier this month, Pakistan hosted UN maritime chief Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco, who attended an international conference and emphasized the country’s expanding role in the global maritime sector and commitment to sustainable shipping.
Pakistan is also actively enhancing its trade through sea routes and upgrading port infrastructure in Karachi and Gwadar, aiming to position itself as a key transit hub for landlocked Central Asian countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan.
World Maritime Day, instituted by the International Maritime Organization in 1978, highlights the importance of international shipping and maritime safety each year.
“The maritime sector serves as the backbone of global trade, playing a key role in economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and facilitating international cooperation,” the Pakistani president said in a statement circulated by his office.
“The day highlights the need for a more efficient and secure shipping environment to ensure the uninterrupted flow of international maritime trade,” he continued.
Zardari expressed Pakistan’s resolve to protect its maritime ecosystem and coastal areas by addressing key challenges such as marine pollution and climate change.
“Pakistan is actively working to strengthen its regulatory framework to tackle marine pollution, improve maritime waste management, and expand community-driven projects,” he added.
Pakistan is an active member of the International Maritime Organization and has signed various conventions related to safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships.
It has also collaborated in this area with international organizations to mitigate the environmental damage faced by the maritime ecosystem.