Islamabad, October 10, 2025(Nosheen): The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organized the latest edition of its Thought Leaders Forum (TLF), featuring former Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral (R) Zafar Mahmood Abbasi NI(M), as the keynote speaker. The session, titled “Maritime Security and Blue Economy,” provided a comprehensive perspective on Pakistan’s maritime challenges, opportunities, and strategic imperatives.
In his welcome remarks, Director General ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood stated that the session aimed to complement the Institute’s earlier TLF discussions held in the backdrop of the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict by focusing on the vital role of naval power. He underscored Pakistan’s geo-economic and geo-strategic relevance, emphasizing the need to address three major challenges confronting the maritime environment:
- Intensifying strategic competition in the Indian Ocean Region, particularly India’s rapid naval modernization;
- Non-traditional threats, including piracy, terrorism, human and drug trafficking, and climate change; and
- Geopolitical rivalries among major powers seeking influence and access in the Indian Ocean.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood stressed that recent provocative statements and aggressive signaling from India highlight the imperative of preparedness in the naval domain. He called for adjusting Pakistan’s primarily continental mindset to include a strong maritime focus and urged enhanced regional cooperation to effectively tackle emerging challenges and harness new opportunities.
The DG also highlighted Pakistan’s vast blue economy potential and untapped marine resources, while pointing out structural challenges such as weak regulatory frameworks, limited infrastructure, and technological gaps. He emphasized the need for collaboration among government institutions, the Pakistan Navy, industry, academia, and civil society to unlock Pakistan’s maritime potential.
Delivering his address, Admiral (R) Zafar Mahmood Abbasi noted that Pakistan’s maritime domain, though strategically vital, has long been neglected. He observed that the global geopolitical environment is marked by a divide between the Global North and South, where inequitable economic and strategic structures have deepened instability—dynamics also reflected in the maritime arena.
Highlighting the critical importance of maritime security for Pakistan’s defence and economic growth, Admiral (R) Abbasi identified India as the principal threat, necessitating robust seaward defences and deterrence strategies. He underscored the need for a Pakistan Navy base at Gwadar to address a key strategic gap. He also elaborated on the Navy’s contributions through participation in Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), Regional Maritime Security Patrols (RMSP), and multinational operations such as CTF-150 and CTF-151 to counter piracy, terrorism, and drug trafficking.
On the economic front, Admiral (R) Abbasi pointed out the significance of Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Extended Continental Shelf, expanded in 2015 through efforts of the Pakistan Navy and the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO). These areas contain substantial oil, gas, and mineral reserves. He called for the revitalization of shipbuilding, greater reliance on indigenous shipping, and modernization of the fisheries sector to boost exports, save foreign exchange, and uplift coastal communities.
In his introductory remarks, Director China-Pakistan Study Centre Dr. Talat Shabbir emphasized the timeliness of the discussion, noting that oceans play a defining role in shaping economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and geopolitical stability.
The session concluded with an engaging question-and-answer segment, where scholars, diplomats, and policy experts interacted with the speaker on evolving dynamics of maritime security and the blue economy.
At the end of the event, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood presented a memento to Admiral (R) Zafar Mahmood Abbasi in recognition of his valuable insights and contribution to the discussion.
The forum served as an important platform for an informed and forward-looking dialogue on strengthening Pakistan’s maritime security and harnessing the potential of its blue economy.