Dr. Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, held a detailed meeting with Rear Admiral Shahzad Iqbal HI(M), Director General Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, to push forward joint action on marine protection, pollution control and coastal resilience across Pakistan.
Rear Admiral Shahzad Iqbal outlined PMSA’s ongoing initiatives, highlighting the Vessel Monitoring System project designed to boost maritime surveillance and strengthen sustainable fisheries governance. The briefing emphasized how improved monitoring supports marine protection and helps curb illegal fishing while enhancing maritime domain awareness.
The DG described PMSA’s core responsibilities, including preventing illegal fishing, conducting search and rescue operations, coordinating across ministries, managing maritime borders and functioning as a secondary maritime force. These operational roles were presented as essential building blocks for a coherent national approach to marine protection and environmental security at sea.
The Director General extended a formal invitation to the Minister to attend Exercise BARRACUDA from 9–11 December, noting the exercise’s role in sharpening oil spill response, marine pollution management and search and rescue capabilities. Participation in such drills was framed as critical to improving readiness and inter-agency coordination for real incidents affecting Pakistan’s waters.
Both leaders discussed the escalating problem of waste dumping into the sea and the severe consequences for marine ecosystems, commercial fisheries and the export sector. They agreed that tackling marine pollution must be integrated with fisheries governance and port-state measures to protect livelihoods and trade reliant on healthy coastal environments.
Federal Minister Dr. Musadik Malik reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to close cooperation with PMSA to safeguard Pakistan’s seas, enhance environmental security and advance climate-resilient marine governance. He praised PMSA’s operational contributions and stressed that coordinated federal action is vital to ensuring the long-term sustainability of marine resources and continued progress on marine protection.
