Pakistan’s vast maritime domain holds tremendous potential to drive sustainable economic growth, enhance regional connectivity and create resilient coastal livelihoods through the Blue Economy. The present contribution of Blue Economy can be increased 3 to 5 fold in the near future through strategic planning. Recognizing this opportunity, the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA), in collaboration with the Pakistan Business Forum (PBF), is launching an initiative i.e., international conference series in the provincial capitals under the theme “Blue Economy – Pakistan’s Maritime Future.”

    This conference aims to serve as a high-level platform to engage policymakers, academia, private sector leaders and international partners in meaningful dialogue on the future of Pakistan’s maritime sector. A key focus of this dialogue is active participation of the private business community whose entrepreneurship, capital investment and innovation are critical to unlocking the full economic potential of Pakistan’s marine and coastal assets. The series begins with a high-level conference in Pakistan’s maritime hub Karachi and will expand to other provincial capitals including Quetta / Gwadar, Lahore and Peshawar at approximately three-month intervals. Each provincial event will be thematically focused: Karachi will emphasize port development, shipbreaking and mangrove restoration; Balochistan will spotlight CPEC linkages and deep-sea fisheries; Punjab will focus on maritime policy awareness and inland logistics; and KP will highlight riverine transport and innovation.

    By aligning national maritime development with provincial strategies, this series will generate actionable recommendations, enhance stakeholder collaboration and encourage investment-driven growth in the maritime sector. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to mainstream the Blue Economy in Pakistan’s national agenda, ensure sustainable use of ocean resources and build a resilient maritime future aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the country’s economic transformation priorities. The Karachi conference will mark the beginning of this impactful journey towards a robust, inclusive and future-ready maritime economy forPakistan.