The factors responsible for maritime sector's woes and measures to boost its growth would come under serious discussion at a seminar on 'Academic perspective in maritime sector' scheduled to be held here on November 3.
The seminar is being organised by the Institute of Maritime Affairs (IMA), Bahria University, Karachi campus, in order to connect the maritime sector with educational institutes. This will provide a forum for discussing maritime sector knowledge/skills needs and devising adequate academic solutions.
According to IMA Pak has a coastline of 990-km and an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 240,000 sq. km. The sea provides the cheapest means of transport as well as mammoth resources. The shrinking of land resources dictates that extraneous effort must be made to exploit ocean resources for prosperity of country.
The EEZ has enormous unexplored hydrocarbons and other precious economic resources; which have been lying untapped for the lack of requisite maritime education and expertise. Geo-strategically Pakistan has a very important location. The country is located astride the main sea routes and in close proximity of Gulf and North Arabian Sea. It is confronted with multifaceted issues due to the volatile situation in the Indian Ocean region. The post-cold war and post-9/11 global politics have numerous implications for Pakistan and its strategic resources and assets are at stake. Overwhelming dependence on sea trade and access to sea route for central Asian states calls for across the board development in maritime arena.
At present, the maritime domain in Pakistan is lagging in development in the following areas:
(i) Sea minerals and food resources of Pakistan remain untapped. Pakistan needs to tap these resources and device a cogent regime for sustainable exploitation. The country does not have the required number of trained manpower for scientific and statistical surveys of sea.
(ii) The 'Tasman Spirit' incident at Karachi harbour in 2003 glaringly unveiled the inherent weaknesses in marine pollution control and maritime disaster management. Adequate awareness of maritime disasters and relevant contingencies can only be devised and implemented by experts and skilled manpower.
(iii) Marine environment remains one of the most neglected aspects. Existing environment laws do not cater to the need for marine environment. Need for building up awareness as well as a vibrant control regime is only possible through timely education and research.
(iv) Maritime security has attracted the focus for any adventure in maritime sector. Pakistan has adopted the International Ship and Port Security Regime - 2004, but a lot of needs to be done to make our maritime sector more reliable and trustworthy for improving trade deficit and attracting foreign investment.
(v) With the introduction of WTO regime, the international trade is evolving fast on the technology bandwagon. Pakistan lags behind in catching demands of the market due to low quality manpower in the maritime sector.
The paper prepared for the seminar says that the National Maritime Policy of Pakistan promulgated in 2002, underscores Pakistan's interest in investing in maritime technology, commerce, ocean research, offshore exploration, and security. Policy objectives include promotion of education and research in marine sciences and technology and creation of sea-awareness among general public through education and research.
A stage has come that Pakistan has to invest in the education and research to prepare marine scientists and maritime experts to reap fruits of being a maritime nation. The country desperately needs an institution of high repute to impart quality education encompassing all dimensions of maritime affairs, so as to train and develop marine scientists and maritime experts for safeguarding its maritime interests.
In early 2006, the Chief of the Naval Staff as the chief technical advisor on maritime matters took up this issue with the government. In July 2006, the proposal for the establishment of the Institute of Maritime Affairs under the aegis of the Bahria University as sponsored by the Prime Minister.
The Bahria University, drawing inspiration from its name, and this fresh mandate has started maritime management and marine sciences programme at its Karachi campus. The Institute of Maritime Affairs has already started a National Centre of Maritime Policy Research (NCMPR) in February 2007 to address maritime policy issues.