Pakistan is often imagined as a land of mountains, rivers and fertile plains, yet its true gateway to the world lies along more than 1,000 kilometers of Arabian Sea coastline. From ancient ports that once linked South Asia to Africa and the Middle East, to living fishing communities that still read the winds and tides with ancestral knowledge, Pakistan’s maritime heritage is a vast, largely untold story. The recent meeting between Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi is therefore more than a routine exchange of views; it is a reminder that this neglected inheritance is both a cultural treasure and a strategic economic asset.
For decades, development policy has treated the coast mainly as a site for ports, industry and real estate. While these are vital for growth, they have often advanced at the cost of heritage and ecology. Ancient harbours, historic lighthouses, traditional boat-building yards and underwater archaeological sites have been left unrecorded, eroded by time, or damaged by unregulated development and illegal salvaging. Climate change has added a new layer of threat, accelerating coastal erosion and endangering fragile ecosystems that have sustained communities for centuries. In this context, the ministers’ emphasis on aligning preservation with the blue economy is not just timely, it is essential.
Maritime heritage is not a romantic luxury. It is a foundation for identity, education and sustainable growth. Countries that have invested in documenting and protecting their coastal and underwater heritage through museums, heritage trails, maritime parks and responsible tourism have discovered that history can be a powerful economic engine. Pakistan, with its rich tapestry of ancient trade routes, shipwrecks and living traditions, has every reason to do the same. A well-managed maritime heritage sector can generate jobs, attract tourists, support research and inspire young people to pursue careers in marine sciences, shipping, fisheries and port management.
Yet such a vision cannot be realized through isolated initiatives. Junaid Chaudhry is right to call for a “whole-of-government approach.” Maritime heritage cuts across jurisdictions: ports, environment, culture, education, tourism and security all have a stake. Without coordination, policies collide, data remains fragmented and enforcement is weak. The proposed joint working group between the maritime and culture ministries is a welcome first step, but it must be empowered with clear mandates, shared databases and the authority to influence development planning along the coast.
Equally important is the role of local communities. The intangible heritage of fishing practices, navigation methods and boat-building skills is as valuable as any stone structure or shipwreck. Conservation efforts that ignore the people who live by the sea are doomed to fail. Instead, communities should be partners trained as site stewards, guides and researchers, and supported in sustaining traditional livelihoods that are environmentally sound.
Legal and regulatory reform will also be crucial. Stronger controls on coastal construction, clearer protection for underwater cultural assets and tougher penalties for illegal salvaging are not obstacles to growth; they are safeguards against irreversible loss. Collaboration with universities and international partners can bring technical expertise, funding and global best practices to Pakistan’s shores.