Development of Pakistan’s maritime sector, essential for CPEC, says Naval chief

Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi has said that Pakistan Navy is active in promoting maritime defense as well as the blue economy, adding that maritime pollution is a serious issue and joint efforts are needed.

In his message on the occasion of World Maritime Day 2020, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi said that World Maritime Day is celebrated all over the world every year to draw attention to the importance and protection of the sea.

The Naval Chief said that the theme of World Maritime Day is "Stable Shipping for a Stable Planet", the international economy is largely dependent on shipping related activities, saying that nature has blessed Pakistan with more than one thousand kilometers of coastline. “The development of the maritime sector is essential for the full utilization of the Pak-China Economic Corridor (CPEC),” he said.

Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi further said that Pakistan Navy is active in promoting maritime defense as well as blue economy, adding that declaring 2020 as the year of blue economy by the government of Pakistan is a positive step.

Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi said that along with the traditional and unconventional challenges of maritime security, increasing marine pollution is a serious problem, which requires joint efforts by all coastal countries to ensure regional maritime security.

The Chief of Naval Staff further said that steps were being taken to clean the ports, prevent oil spill in the sea and plant mangroves in the coastal areas to protect the marine ecosystem.