Chairman IPS, DG-PMSA highlight the need for increased sea-related awareness; propose forming a maritime community
The formation of an inclusive maritime community and collaboration among all the stakeholders, including think tanks, NGOs, researchers, and students, are prerequisites for the explication of maritime issues and their awareness in the country. In this regard, research, working papers, reports, discussions, roundtables, and conferences, like an annual conference on landscaping maritime, should be conducted with focus on varied maritime domains, related issues, and their resolution.
The ideas were discussed during a meeting held at IPS on August 11, 2022, partaken by Chairman IPS Khalid Rahman, Rear Admiral Mirza Foad Amin Baig HI(M), director general, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), Flag Officer Lt. Muhammed Jazib, Pakistan Navy, Ambassador (r) Syed Abrar Hussain, vice chairman IPS, Shafaq Sarfraz, senior manager, Outreach, Muhammad Wali Farooqi, IPS’ research officer for Pakistan Affairs, and the Institute’s research faculty.
While apprising IPS team of the PMSA’s functioning in search and rescue, marine pollution control, anti-poaching, anti-smuggling, and drug trafficking operations with regular patrolling and surveillance of Pakistan’s exclusive economic zone, Rear Admiral Foad Baig highlighted the need for maritime awareness in the country and presented the idea that all the institutes working specifically on maritime issues must join hands and put forward a combined effort.
He also emphasized maritime issues like illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and marine pollution and pointed out the potential of media platforms, with a specific mention of the role of social media, in raising awareness of these issues and mitigating the sea-blindness in the country.
The visitors, too, were apprised of IPS mandate and its work in the maritime domain. Khalid Rahman affirmed the importance of and need for maritime awareness and uncovering the credible potential along the coastal belt. He stressed that a business-oriented environment along the coastal belt is necessary which will not only attract the local businessmen but also international investors. This would push forward the development of the indigenous coastal community and would raise the standards of living. In this regard, instead of mere paperwork, effective policy formulation and implementation are essential to gain fruitful results, he stressed.
