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Pakistan is a maritime nation with a coastline stretching over 1,046 kilometers. It has the seventh largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the world. As a result, maritime matters are of utmost importance to the country. This article seeks to explore Pakistan’s maritime matters with a specific focus on the Law of the Seas and Security. It will provide an overview of Pakistan’s maritime matters, discuss the Law of the Seas and international law, examine maritime security in Pakistan, identify the challenges it faces, and provide recommendations for enhancing its maritime security.
Overview of Pakistan’s Maritime Matters
Pakistan is a littoral state with direct access to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is home to two major ports, Gwadar and Karachi, and four minor ports, Pasni, Ormara, Bin Qasim and Jawari. Additionally, the country is a member of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which is an intergovernmental organisation responsible for regulating maritime trade.
The Pakistani Navy is the country’s largest maritime branch and is responsible for protecting the maritime interests of the country, including the EEZ. It is equipped with a variety of ships, submarines, patrol aircraft, and helicopters. Additionally, it has a large maritime surveillance system, comprising of aerial and satellite surveillance and electronic warfare capabilities.
Pakistan is also a signatory to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which governs international maritime law and outlines the rights and responsibilities of nations in relation to their EEZs and other maritime zones.
Law of the Seas & International Law
The Law of the Seas is a set of international legal principles that govern the rights and responsibilities of states in relation to the seas and oceans. It is a cornerstone of international law and of particular relevance to Pakistan since it is a littoral state with a large EEZ. Furthermore, the Law of the Seas is codified in the 1982 UNCLOS, which outlines the legal rights and responsibilities of nations in relation to their EEZs and other maritime zones.
Under UNCLOS, Pakistan has the right to exploit the resources of its EEZ, including fishing, oil, gas, and minerals. It also has the responsibility to protect the environment of its EEZ and comply with international environmental laws. Additionally, UNCLOS stipulates that all states have the right of innocent passage through the EEZs of other states.
Maritime Security in Pakistan
Pakistan’s maritime security is of paramount importance to the country. In order to protect the country’s maritime interests, the Pakistani Navy has a variety of ships, submarines, aircraft, and helicopters at its disposal. Additionally, it has an extensive maritime surveillance system comprising of aerial and satellite surveillance, as well as electronic warfare capabilities.
The Pakistani Navy also works in conjunction with other branches of the Pakistani Armed Forces, such as the Pakistan Coast Guard and the Maritime Security Agency, to ensure the safety and security of the country’s maritime domain. Additionally, it has signed several bilateral defence agreements with other countries in order to strengthen its maritime defence capabilities.
Challenges Facing Pakistan’s Maritime Domain
Pakistan faces several challenges in its maritime domain. These include illegal fishing, drug smuggling, maritime terrorism, and piracy. Additionally, environmental degradation and climate change are serious issues that threaten the country’s maritime domain.
The Pakistani Navy is also in need of modernisation, as its current capability is limited. Furthermore, the country is facing a shortage of trained personnel and is in need of additional resources to effectively protect its maritime interests.
Enhancing Maritime Security in Pakistan
In order to enhance its maritime security, Pakistan needs to strengthen its naval capabilities. This includes modernising its ships and equipment, as well as increasing its personnel numbers. Additionally, the country needs to increase its intelligence capabilities in order to better detect and respond to threats.
Furthermore, Pakistan needs to strengthen its bilateral and multilateral defence agreements in order to ensure its maritime interests are better protected. Additionally, the country needs to increase its maritime surveillance capabilities in order to better detect threats.
Conclusions & Recommendations
In conclusion, Pakistan is a maritime nation with a large EEZ and a long coastline. It is subject to the Law of the Seas and is a signatory to the 1982 UNCLOS. The Pakistani Navy is responsible for protecting the country’s maritime interests and is aided by the Pakistan Coast Guard and the Maritime Security Agency. However, the country is facing a number of challenges in its maritime domain, including illegal fishing, drug smuggling, maritime terrorism, and piracy.
In order to enhance its maritime security, it is recommended that Pakistan strengthen its naval capabilities, increase its intelligence capabilities, and strengthen its bilateral and multilateral defence agreements. Additionally, it is recommended that the country increase its maritime surveillance capabilities in order to better detect threats.