Moalims

“I look forward to a profound and cumulative response by all stakeholders to promote maritime awareness in order to achieve sustainable development in Pakistan’s maritime sector,” the admiral said in a message on World Maritime Day.

Pakistan Navy celebrated the World Maritime Day by conducting a number of activities for awareness amongst the masses. This year the World Maritime Day was celebrated on Monday. Theme selected by IMO this year was “Maritime Education and Training”.

The chief of the naval staff in his message on the occasion said that provision of quality education and training is fundamental in flourishing maritime sector of a nation. The admiral said: “The world’s leading maritime nations adopted a strategy of elevating standards of maritime education and training in order to meet the challenges of contemporary world. In this regard, international convention on standards of training, certification and watch keeping provides necessary guidelines for institutionalization of requisite benchmarks”. The naval chief reiterated that their country being a signatory of this important instrument was complying with the international requirements, however, there was a dire need to be prepared for emerging challenges of maritime industry and proactively contribute towards international endeavours to deal with these challenges

Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah highlighted the fact that Pakistan was blessed with long coastline and abundance of marine resources in our EZZ and extended limits of our continental shelf. The country’s realization of this vast potential has so far been woefully inadequate. The foremost need is to recognize this extremely important asset and promote maritime research and educational activities to accrue long term benefits from this rich resource.

To celebrate the World Maritime Day, Pakistan Navy planned wide range of activities to acquaint the masses of its significance, raise maritime awareness and highlight Pakistan Navy’s contributions towards sustainable development of Pakistan’s maritime sector. A number of educational and awareness raising activities including colorful Maritime Gala at Maritime Museum Karachi and Naval Complex Islamabad, were arranged. A large number of families visited both the venues and witnessed various stalls arranged by Pakistan Navy, Bahria University/National Centre for Maritime Policy Research, Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works and Maritime Technological Complex etc.

A special seminar on “Maritime Trade & Economy” was arranged by National Centre for Maritime Policy Research Karachi. Minister for Ports and Shipping, Mr Kamran Michael graced the occasion as chief guest. A seminar was arranged on the day at Bahria University Islamabad as well. Quiz competitions and lectures were also held in Pakistan Navy to highlight the importance of Maritime Education and Training in Pakistan.

News Reference