ISLAMABAD: The Senate standing committee on maritime affairs on Thursday noted that ‘blue economy’ was an important segment for Pakistan’s economy and efforts are needed to harness it to full extent.

Committee’s chairperson Nuzhat Sadiq called upon the political parties to include development of the country’s marine territory in their manifestos. She said blue economy was a very important source of revenue generation and economic development and Pakistan should play a pro-active role to harness this resource.

“The economic development of territorial waters will help overall socio-economic uplift of the country, especially the residents of coastal areas,” she said.

Maritime Affairs Secretary Rizwan Ahmed told the committee that fishermen’s welfare in coastal areas was one of top priorities of the ministry of maritime affairs and steps have been taken for their socioeconomic development.

He, however, said that the ministry’s budget was Rs911 million and higher allocation was required to execute several long-term projects related to maritime development.

The secretary said steps were being taken to facilitate export of fish and seafood as deep sea fishing was the ministry of maritime affairs’ mandate.

The ministry, he said, was working to impart international standards in ship-breaking industry along with promoting it. The standing committee approved a report of the sub-committee about the issues faced by the Gwadar Port Authority.

Senators Aurangzeb Orakzai, Khushbakht Shujaat, Shameem Afridi, Sassui Palejo and Mohammad Akram attended the meeting.

Mr Orakzai highlighted the main points of the report and said the Gwadar Port was the future of Pakistan and steps should be taken to expedite development of the Gwadar area. He said Gwadar Port would not only increase investment but also improve the conditions of the residents of the area.

The ministry of maritime affairs was responsible for safety of ports and regulation of matters relating to dangerous cargo, navigation and shipping on inland waterways at mechanically propelled vessels, lighthouses, including lightship, beacons and other provision for safety of shipping.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2020