Pakistan is taking measures to stop marine pollution, revive marine fisheries and nurture the ocean. Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Pakistan, has a plan to celebrate World Ocean Day 2022. It includes Mangroves Plantation Activity, Beach Cleaning Drive, workshop and roadmap.
Pakistan welcomes the World Bank and other stakeholders’ role in sustainable measures in making of Blue Economy Development Roadmap in the country. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Senator Faisal Ali Subzwari, stated while attending the World Ocean Day Event organised by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs as the Chief Guest in Karachi. He emphasised more active and efficient coordination for the cause of ministry, partners and poor fishery people associated with the blue economy.
The Minister announced at the event that “For the people of Gwadar, we have promised some 2000 fisherman to provide the motor boat engines for Rs. 500m for effective fishing. We will also provide them with a floating jetty at Rs. 267m by the end of this year.”
While speaking, the Minister highlighted the Development of Blue Economic (BE) Policy and roadmap as a special plan of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and appreciated the World Bank’s efforts to conduct a detailed study on the Blue Economy that will surely be beneficial for policy-making in future.
While addressing, he stated that the purpose of the event is to create awareness in the people of Pakistan about the potential of our ocean as an important asset for sustainable economic growth and to take collective action to advance the sustainable utilisation of our ocean.
The Minister reiterated that the Federal Government and Ministry of Maritime Affairs are and will remain committed and would be more active, efficient and available for all the stakeholders associated with the Blue Economy of Pakistan.
The Minister also stressed the need for sectors like Blue Economic to get more explored and assured that Blue economy Development would be a special plan of the ministry.
Furthermore, he assured working in close coordination with the Government of Sindh to address the issues related to fisheries and maritime sector development.
Additional Secretary Maritime Affairs, Mr Asad Rafi Chandna, also stressed taking urgent and immediate actions to reduce marine pollution, increase seafood exports, and enhance coastal tourism to flourish the blue economy of Pakistan.
The Chairman Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Mr Syedain Raza Zaidi, Chairman Port Qasim Authority (PQA), Rear Admiral (R) Syed Hasan Nasir Shah HI(M), Chairman Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), Mr Rizwan Ahmed, MD KoHFA, Principal Officer Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Pakistan Marine Academy (PMA), GM Ops KPT – Rear Admiral Zubair Shafique, GM Tech KPT – Rear Admiral Shahid, DG Port Qasim – R Adm Javed Iqbal, GM Engineering KPT – R Admiral Shahid, Country Director World Bank, and eminent and well-informed participants also graced the occasion with their presence.
After the end of the event, Minister also attended the Q & A session of the electronic and print media journalists and aptly responded to all the questions raised regarding the Blue Economy, Marine Pollution and other issues of Karachi.
The event was followed by a technical consultative workshop organised by the WB. Joint Secretary Maritime Affairs – Mr Kamran Ansari presented his views on blue economy emerging trends and coordinated on behalf of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.