Islamabad: The Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, has emphasized the necessity for research-driven policies to advance environmentally responsible maritime practices in Pakistan. In a discussion with Vice Admiral retired Ahmed Saeed, President of the National Institute of Maritime Affairs, the minister stressed the importance of integrating the maritime economy into the national economic framework.

Minister Chaudhry advocated for a sustainable maritime strategy that aligns economic growth with environmental care. He highlighted the need to adopt insights from research to craft policies that promote responsible maritime development.

Vice Admiral Saeed congratulated Minister Chaudhry on his recent appointment and expressed the Institute’s support for the ministry’s initiatives. He lauded the government’s decision to elevate the Pakistan Marine Academy to a maritime university in collaboration with the World Maritime University in Sweden, considering it a crucial step for capacity-building and achieving global benchmarks.

Key policy discussions at the meeting included Pakistan’s adherence to international environmental standards, such as the International Maritime Organization’s MARPOL Annex-VI regulations on marine pollution.