Islamabad: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, has underscored the importance of leveraging research-based insights to shape policy and foster environmentally responsible maritime development in Pakistan. During a meeting with Vice Admiral Ahmed Saeed HI(M) (Retd), President of the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA), the minister stressed the need for a sustainable maritime vision that balances economic growth with environmental stewardship.

The meeting, held on Monday, focused on integrating the maritime economy into Pakistan’s broader national economic framework. Vice Admiral Ahmed Saeed congratulated the minister on his appointment and expressed NIMA’s full support for the ministry’s initiatives.

Key areas of maritime policy were discussed, including Pakistan’s compliance with international environmental standards, notably the International Maritime Organization’s MARPOL Annex-VI regulations on marine pollution. The upgrade of the Pakistan Marine Academy into a full-fledged maritime university, in collaboration with the World Maritime University in Sweden, was also highlighted as a significant step in capacity-building and aligning with global standards.