Islamabad: Pakistan has significant but largely untapped potential for marine tourism, which could become an important component of the country’s blue economy, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Tuesday. Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of a cruise coastal service, the minister emphasized the government’s efforts to transform Karachi into a modern maritime hub by expanding port infrastructure, logistics, and other ocean-based economic activities.

According to Press Information Department, Chaudhry highlighted that Karachi, as the heart of Pakistan’s maritime economy, has the potential to serve as a hub for ports, logistics, tourism, and the wider blue economy. The country’s coastline along the Arabian Sea, extending across Sindh and Balochistan, offers various attractions, including beaches, islands, fishing communities, and maritime heritage. However, the sector remains underdeveloped due to inadequate tourism infrastructure, limited cruise facilities, poor connectivity, and environmental pressures.

The minister noted that the introduction of cruise services could help open up the coastline to domestic and international tourists, stimulating investment in hospitality, transport, recreation, and other tourism-related businesses. Karachi Port is also being developed as a major transshipment hub as part of the government’s broader maritime vision, with several projects underway, including a maritime industrial complex and facilities for shipbuilding and repair.

Efforts to promote ship recycling and industrial estates aim to strengthen linkages between maritime activities and the broader industrial economy. Chaudhry stressed that maritime development should not be limited to cargo handling and port operations, as tourism and other ocean-based activities could generate employment, attract investment, and diversify coastal economies.

The minister acknowledged the importance of sustainable management of coastal ecosystems for the long-term development of marine tourism. He noted that improved safety standards, better connectivity, and investment in tourism infrastructure would be necessary to ensure that increased economic activity does not harm the marine environment.