‘CPEC to have far-reaching implications for maritime trade’

Karachi

National Centre for Maritime Policy Research (NCMPR) of Bahria University on Thursday organised its 3rd National Maritime Seminar on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its maritime implications for Pakistan.

Former Chief of Naval Staff Admiral (Retd) Shahid Karimullah graced the occasion as the chief guest while Vice Admiral (Retd) Khalid Mohammad Mir was the guest of honour, according to a statement issued on Thursday.

Admiral (Retd) Shahid Karimullah while addressing the ceremony said the bilateral strategic planning of Pakistan and China had been done with profound understanding of economic implications, and will benefit both simultaneously. He also commended the efforts of NCMPR to create awareness and assemble a galaxy of experts to deliberate on such an emerging subject.

Earlier in his speech Vice Admiral (Retd) Khalid Mohammad Mir stated that Pakistan was passing through an economic transition and Gwadar was indeed a viable opening for prosperity and development of Pakistan.

He said the employment opportunities generated by this project will definitely strengthen the economic stability in the region, which would uplift the current economic situation of Balochistan.

Talking about Gwadar in the first session, Rear Admiral (Retd) Pervaiz Asghar talked about the increase of Pakistan’s share in the global maritime economy. DG IPS Khalid Rehman in his presentation discussed the socio-political and diplomatic implications of the economic corridor.

He said that CPEC though an apparently a bilateral initiative had held several social, political and diplomatic implications, not only for Pakistan and China, but for the whole region.

The maritime security challenges faced by Pakistan were highlighted by Ali Abbas in the second session.

He said the expected economic boom of CPEC was connected with maritime security challenges in traditional military and civil domains, and needed to be considered to make this project a reality.

Rector Bahria University Vice Admiral (Retd) Tanveer Faiz, in his closing remarks, said the Pakistan Navy played a substantial role in the development of CPEC. He informed that more than 400 marines of Pakistan Navy’s Third Marine Battalions were providing security round the clock to the Gwadar Port.