PTBP Web Desk
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, inaugurated the four-day Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference (PIMEC) 2025 at the Expo Centre Karachi on Monday. The event aims to strengthen Pakistan’s maritime sector and attract global partnerships to unlock the country’s vast Blue Economy potential.
The inaugural ceremony witnessed prominent local and international dignitaries, including Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Aljasser, Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori, Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhel, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf NI (M). The event was jointly organized by the Pakistan Navy and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, showcasing Pakistan’s growing engagement in global maritime trade.
In his address, Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that Pakistan is blessed with a 1,050-kilometre coastline and an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) spanning nearly 290,000 square kilometres, offering enormous potential in renewable energy, fisheries, and marine minerals.
However, he expressed concern that despite these advantages, Pakistan’s maritime sector contributes less than 1 percent to the national GDP — significantly lower than the 4–7 percent share seen in many maritime economies worldwide. “This gap represents untapped opportunity and a strategic imperative for our national development,” Iqbal noted.
He underscored that Pakistan occupies a strategic geographical position, serving as a natural maritime bridge where South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa converge. This, he said, positions Pakistan as a critical player in future global trade and logistics.
Quoting UNCTAD 2024, the Planning Minister highlighted that over 80% of global trade by volume and 70% by value takes place through maritime routes. He further explained that the global Blue Economy contributes more than USD 2.5 trillion annually to the world GDP and sustains over 350 million jobs across industries such as shipping, ports, fisheries, marine energy, and coastal tourism.
“If the Blue Economy were a nation, it would be the seventh-largest economy in the world,” Ahsan Iqbal remarked, stressing that nations that harness their maritime potential shape the future of global economic power.
Ahsan Iqbal described the Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference as more than just an event — a movement to reimagine Pakistan’s economic destiny from land-based to sea-based growth. He said the expo provides a vital platform for government, industry, academia, and international stakeholders to collaborate on innovations in shipbuilding, marine biotechnology, logistics, digital port management, and renewable energy.
He urged local and global partners to collaborate through PIMEC in areas such as aquaculture, artificial intelligence in maritime operations, offshore wind energy, and coastal tourism.
“Pakistan welcomes international partners to join hands in investment, innovation, and capacity building,” he said. “Together, we can transform the Indian Ocean region into a hub of sustainable trade, growth, and peace.”
Referring to the URAAN Pakistan initiative, Ahsan Iqbal reaffirmed the government’s vision of making Pakistan a USD 1 trillion economy by 2035, with the Blue Economy serving as one of the anchors of export-led growth.
He elaborated on the 5Es framework under URAAN Pakistan — Exports, E-Pakistan, Equity & Empowerment, Environment (including food and water security), and Energy & Infrastructure. Under this plan, eight key drivers of growth have been identified to help Pakistan achieve $100 billion in annual exports by 2035.
To support this goal, he announced a series of initiatives focused on modernizing Karachi Port, Port Qasim, and Gwadar Port into smart, green, and efficient logistics hubs, aligning them with global maritime standards.
In his remarks, Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Aljasser, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, expressed his gratitude for the invitation and praised Pakistan’s efforts in organizing an event of international significance. “I am deeply honoured to be here in Pakistan,” he said, describing PIMEC as “an important platform for promoting maritime collaboration between brotherly nations.”
He reiterated the strong and historic bilateral ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, emphasizing future cooperation in transport and logistics.
Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi, Commander Karachi, extended appreciation to the federal and Sindh governments for their support in arranging PIMEC 2025. He acknowledged that the event symbolized Pakistan’s growing confidence in the maritime domain and its determination to be an active participant in regional economic integration.
Following the formal inauguration, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal and Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Aljasser toured various stalls, interacted with exhibitors, and presented souvenirs to international delegates, marking the beginning of four days of discussions, exhibitions, and collaboration.
The Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference 2025 positions Pakistan at the crossroads of global maritime dialogue. It represents not only a showcase of maritime innovation but also a commitment to sustainable ocean-based growth.
Through events like PIMEC, Pakistan aims to expand its maritime footprint, attract international investments, and elevate its role in the global Blue Economy — transforming the country’s economic trajectory from land to sea.
