Govt boosts maritime journalism to support blue economy

August 7, 2025 (MLN): The Pakistan government has stepped up efforts to promote sustainable maritime development by backing capacity-building initiatives aimed at enhancing informed and impactful maritime journalism.

Emphasis is being placed on sectors such as aquaculture, sustainable fisheries, mangrove restoration, and coastal community protection   all seen as vital to the country’s blue economy and climate resilience goals.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry met with a 30-member delegation led by Secretary General Akram Baloch and senior Dawn journalist Tahir Sadiqui from the Sindh Parliamentary Reporters Association, currently on a study tour of Islamabad.

He urged journalists to expand their focus beyond routine shipping and trade coverage, and instead highlight the broader dimensions of the maritime sector that directly impact livelihoods, ecosystems, and long-term economic stability.

The minister underlined that port cities like Karachi are not only vital economic hubs but also vulnerable to rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events brought on by climate change.

He noted that embedding climate resilience into urban and coastal growth strategies is essential, and that the blue economy offers a path forward. “The blue economy is more than maritime trade,” Chaudhry said. “It’s about managing marine resources sustainably to support both local communities and biodiversity.”

Chaudhry highlighted key government initiatives, including the expansion of aquaculture along the Sindh and Balochistan coasts, modernization of fishing fleets for efficiency and environmental compliance, and the acceleration of mangrove plantation drives.

Pakistan’s mangrove forests, among the largest in the world, serve as natural shields against storms, carbon sinks, and habitats critical to the fisheries industry.

He called on journalists to share human-centered stories from small-scale fishers in coastal creeks to port workers handling global logistics to make maritime challenges and opportunities more relatable to national and international audiences.

He stressed the need for a solutions-oriented approach in reporting, spotlighting examples such as eco-friendly fishing cooperatives and restored mangrove zones that protect entire communities.

The minister also informed that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs would support specialized training programs and provide better access to data for journalists covering maritime affairs.

The delegation welcomed these steps, recognizing the importance of developing a more informed media landscape to support Pakistan’s maritime ambitions.

The engagement reflected the government’s growing recognition that strong, narrative-driven journalism can help bridge the gap between policy, economic potential, and the environmental imperatives tied to the country’s coastal and marine resources.

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