Pakistan8217;s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf on Monday emphasized the importance of maritime security for the country8217;s economic future, calling for robust measures to address “unprecedented challenges” in the Indian Ocean Region.
In a message issued to mark the Seventh Maritime Security Workshop, scheduled to run from November 26 to December 5 at the Pakistan Navy War College in Lahore, Ashraf highlighted the need to harness the country8217;s maritime potential while ensuring a secure environment for trade and economic growth.
He noted the Indian Ocean Region faced significant challenges, including geopolitical competition, nuclearization and transnational threats, compounded by rapid technological advancements. “The country8217;s economic future is inextricably linked to the sea, which serves as mankind8217;s last reservoir for sustenance,” he said. “Securing our maritime domain is not merely a national priority but a necessity, requiring cooperation, innovation and vigilance.”
Ashraf stressed the potential of Pakistan8217;s maritime resources to drive socio-economic prosperity through the exploitation of the blue economy, enabled by a secure maritime environment. His comments come at a time when Pakistan has made a strategic offer to landlocked Central Asian economies for access to its ports, allowing them to conduct trade via sea routes.
The initiative underscores Pakistan8217;s ambition to position itself as a critical hub for regional economic activity. “Our rich maritime resources offer great potential for economic prosperity,” the naval chief maintained. “Let us work toward a secure and stable maritime environment that benefits not only our nation but the global community at large,” he added.