Karachi’s marine tourism poised to drive Pakistan’s blue economy

August 12, 2026 (MLN): Karachi's marine tourism potential could become a key pillar of Pakistan's blue economy, but the sector remains held back by weak infrastructure, limited cruise facilities and poor connectivity, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said at the inauguration of a cruise coastal service.

The minister said the government was working to transform Karachi into a modern maritime hub by expanding port infrastructure, logistics, tourism and other ocean-based economic activities, describing the city as "the heart of Pakistan's maritime economy" rather than merely a port city.

Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea, stretching across Sindh and Balochistan, offers beaches, islands, fishing communities and maritime heritage, but the sector has remained underdeveloped due to inadequate tourism infrastructure, limited cruise facilities, poor connectivity and growing environmental pressures.

Chaudhry said the introduction of cruise services could help open up the coastline to domestic and international tourists while stimulating investment in hospitality, transport, recreation and other tourism-related businesses.

He said Karachi Port was also being developed as a major transshipment hub as part of the government's broader maritime vision, with several projects under way, including a maritime industrial complex and facilities for shipbuilding and ship repair.

Ship recycling and industrial estates were also being promoted to strengthen linkages between maritime activities and the wider industrial economy.

"Reforms in maritime policy, the promotion of ship recycling and the development of the blue economy are also part of this comprehensive vision," Chaudhry said.

He stressed that maritime development should not be viewed solely through the prism of cargo handling and port operations, as tourism and other ocean-based activities could generate employment, attract investment and diversify coastal economies.

The government's maritime initiatives were aimed at expanding trade, creating jobs and unlocking the economic potential of the country's coastline, he added.

The minister acknowledged that sustainable management of coastal ecosystems would be essential for the long-term development of marine tourism, along with improved safety standards, better connectivity and investment in tourism infrastructure to ensure increased economic activity did not come at the expense of the marine environment.

Copyright Mettis Link News