Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said maritime heritage is a national asset vital to cultural identity, education and sustainable economic growth, emphasizing the need to expand the blue economy while addressing climate risks.
Junaid Anwar Chaudhry reiterated this commitment in a meeting with Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi where they reviewed existing initiatives and discussed a framework for sustained inter-ministerial collaboration to promote the maritime heritage.
"Talks focused on aligning policy, research and conservation efforts to ensure maritime heritage is documented, protected from degradation and integrated into broader national development strategies," Junaid Chaudhry added.
He noted Pakistan’s coastline over 1,000 kilometres along the Arabian Sea has, for centuries, linked South Asia with the wider Indian Ocean world. Historic ports, navigational routes, shipwrecks, lighthouses and fishing settlements testify to a long maritime tradition that remains under-documented and increasingly vulnerable.
“Our maritime heritage is not only a record of our past but a strategic asset for the future,” Junaid Chaudhry said, noting that preservation could support education, tourism and the blue economy while strengthening national identity. “Development and preservation are not mutually exclusive. With careful planning and cooperation, we can protect our heritage while unlocking the economic potential of our seas.”
Junaid Chaudhry said our ports and sea routes had been central to regional trade and cultural exchange, leaving behind both tangible assets such as historic ports and underwater archaeological sites and intangible heritage in the form of traditional fishing practices and coastal community knowledge. Protecting these assets, he added, required a “whole-of-government approach”.
Coastal erosion, climate change, unregulated development and illegal salvaging pose growing threats to heritage sites, particularly underwater cultural assets, he said. “No single organization can address these challenges alone. Inter-ministerial coordination is essential to ensure that conservation goes hand in hand with sustainable economic activity.”
National Heritage and Culture Minister Aurangzeb Khichi echoed the call for joint action, stressing the role of cultural institutions, museums and research bodies in documenting and interpreting maritime history. He said his ministry would work closely with maritime authorities to map heritage sites along the coast, support archaeological surveys and promote public awareness through exhibitions, curricula and community engagement.
“Maritime heritage is an integral part of Pakistan’s cultural mosaic,” Minister Khichi said. “From ancient trade links to living traditions of coastal communities, this heritage must be preserved for future generations. Conservation efforts must be grounded in research, respect local communities and meet international standards.”
The two ministers also discussed to explore the establishment of a joint working group to coordinate policies, share data and develop project proposals. Potential areas of cooperation include the protection of historic ports and lighthouses, documentation of traditional boat-building techniques, preservation of underwater archaeological sites and the promotion of responsible maritime tourism.
The discussions also highlighted the need to strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks to prevent damage to heritage sites, including stricter controls on coastal development and improved monitoring of underwater assets. Capacity-building for local authorities, as well as collaboration with universities and international partners, was identified as critical to sustaining conservation efforts.
“Our objective is to attract people especially youth, scholars and tourists towards maritime affairs,” Junaid Chaudhry said. “By highlighting our maritime heritage, we can inspire careers in marine sciences, shipping, fisheries and port management, while strengthening public understanding of the blue economy.”
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to translate policy discussions into actionable plans, he said, signalling a more integrated approach to safeguarding Pakistan’s maritime heritage as a shared legacy for future generations.
