Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, in a meeting with UNESCO representative, Dr. Cristina Menegazzi, said that Pakistan is set to become the first South Asian country to ratify the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH).
Both dignitaries discussed collaborative efforts to document, preserve, and promote the country’s rich underwater archaeological resources.
“We are committed to preserving our maritime cultural heritage and will soon ratify the 2001 Convention,” said Minister Chaudhry, adding “This will position Pakistan as a regional leader in protecting underwater cultural heritage and strengthen our voice on international platforms concerning climate change and cultural preservation.”
Maritime archaeology, a specialized discipline that explores the relationship between humans and bodies of water through historical artifacts, is gaining prominence in coastal countries with rich nautical histories.
In Pakistan’s case, this includes shipwrecks, submerged landscapes, ancient maritime infrastructure such as piers and lighthouses, and historic trade routes along the Arabian Sea.
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Briefing the UNESCO representative, the minister said that the government respects marine ecosystems on a policy level. He said, “Any scientific activity in maritime archaeology must be conducted in a way that respects and protects marine ecosystems.”
He stressed on the prioritization of non-invasive technologies while doing excavations under strict scientific guidelines. In line with efforts to preserve both submerged and coastal heritage, he also requested UNESCO’s assistance in registering historic maritime buildings in Karachi.
These include over 70-year-old structures under the Maritime Affairs Ministry, such as the Marine Fisheries Department and the iconic Marine Lighthouse. The minister proposed establishing a maritime historical museum to house and exhibit this coastal legacy.
Dr. Menegazzi welcomed Pakistan’s intention to join the global community in protecting underwater heritage and expressed UNESCO’s willingness to support technical and scientific cooperation in the area.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
