ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) Islamabad, in collaboration with the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), held the second seminar in a series on the Blue Economy, titled “Challenges to Maritime Trade.”
The seminar focused on regional connectivity initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), global and regional security imperatives, and the impacts of technological advancements and climate change.
In his opening remarks, Vice Admiral (Retd) Ahmed Saeed HI(M), President of NIMA, welcomed the attendees and outlined the key themes of the discussion.
The Guest of Honour, Captain Naeem Sarfraz, highlighted the importance of involving subject-matter experts in the policymaking process and advocated for the adoption of affordable, safe, and environmentally friendly inland water transportation systems.
Distinguished scholars Dr. Anjum Sarfraz, Dr. Hassan Daud, and Dr. Maliha Zeba Khan set the stage for the panel discussions that followed. The panel included notable experts such as Ambassador Nadeem Riyaz, Dr. Shabana Fayyaz, Dr. Salma Malik, Dr. Faiz Hussain, Dr. Khurram Iqbal, and Dr. Usman Chohan, who provided valuable insights into Pakistan’s gaps in maritime vision, policy, strategy, and implementation.
They emphasized the need to integrate maritime diplomacy with the global maritime industry. Participants praised the Pakistan Navy’s efforts to expand the scope of ‘Exercise Aman’ through the PIMEC initiative, aiming to incorporate the global maritime industry into the national economy. The consensus was that maritime trade is a driver of economic activity, contributing significantly to national power, as history has shown that trade enhances the status of major powers.
The Chief Guest, Vice Admiral Ahmad Tasnim HI(M), SJ & BA R S.Bt (Retd), commended the quality of input from all experts and urged the country’s economic policymakers to shift the “Center of Gravity” of the economy from the north to the south.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, DG of ISSI, stressed the necessity for long-term, inclusive strategic planning to address maritime challenges and unlock the vast untapped potential in this sector. The event successfully brought together experts from academia, diplomacy, and various think tanks, as well as students from multiple universities.
