Maritime Minister highlights blue economy potential, vision for Karachi

August 12, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan possesses significant but largely untapped potential for marine tourism, which could emerge as an important component of the country's blue economy, with the government working to transform Karachi into a modern maritime hub through expansion of port infrastructure, logistics, tourism and other ocean-based economic activities.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry stated this while addressing a gathering at the inauguration of a cruise coastal service, according to a press release issued.

He remarked that Karachi was not merely a port city but the heart of Pakistan's maritime economy, adding that the city had the potential to serve as a hub for ports, logistics, tourism and the wider blue economy.

The minister noted that Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea, stretching across Sindh and Balochistan, offers a range of attractions including beaches, islands, fishing communities and maritime heritage, though the sector remains underdeveloped due to inadequate tourism infrastructure, limited cruise facilities, poor connectivity and growing environmental pressures.

He 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 further stated that Karachi Port was 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, he added, noting that reforms in maritime policy, the promotion of ship recycling and the development of the blue economy formed part of this comprehensive vision.

The minister 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.

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

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

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