Maritime Awareness in Pakistan

The prime minister has approved what is believed to be a historic multi-billion development package for Gilgit Baltistan while pledging that development of the region was among the priorities of his government.

Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister stressed the need for exploiting huge potential of tourism existing in Gilgit Baltistan. He directed the GB chief minister to give special attention to promotion of tourism and protection of environment.

Under the package, projects in various sectors will not only herald a new chapter of development and progress in Gilgit Baltistan but will also help address the problems of the region and create numerous employment..

January was the deadliest month of the pandemic for the US, but cases are down and vaccinations are up.

Covid vaccine rollout: When might life in US return to normal? January was the deadliest month of the pandemic for the US, but cases are down and vaccinations are up.

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Conflict of territorial regions between China Brunei Malaysia Philippines is hot topic here..

The National People’s Congress passed the Coast Guard Law of the People’s Republic of China to help the CCG defend China’s “national sovereignty, security, and maritime rights and interests.”

Currently world is facing another threat..
Please share your thoughts..
Maritime Exclusive (Maritime Environment)
This infographic is prepared by Team MSF that shows the risk of new pollutants entering the ocean. A report suggests that oceans will be flooded with an estimated 1.56 billion face masks in 2020. This will result in an additional 4,680 to 6,240 metric tonnes of marine plastic pollution, says the report, entitled “Masks on the Beach: The Impact of COVID-19 on Marine Plastic Pollution.”

Pakistan is party to a number of international conventions and treaties for protection of the environment and biodiversity. Under the obligations of these treaties and agreements, Pakistan has vowed to protect its marine environment as well. Despite all this, one of the biggest issues Pakistan is facing right now is environmental degradation. This not only depletes Pakistan’s resources but is also affecting human life adversely.

The environment of Pakistan is being degraded in several ways, one of which is oceanic pollution. Despite being part of the London Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, Pakistan throws all sort of waste into the sea, including plastic bags, bottles, sewage, and potentially infectious hospital waste. The hazardous industrial waste eventually finds its way into the sea. The fish and other marine life swallows small particles of metals, plastic, and toxic substances. Completing the food chain, these fish are eaten by humans and the toxic substances can severely damage their immune systems. In other words, humans are bringing death to themselves.

Increasing dumping of hazardous waste, including cow dung, untreated water, and industrial waste, and a large quantity of plastic into the sea is severely affecting the fisheries resources, which in turn negatively impacts the economic conditions of fishing communities highly dependent on these resources. According to research conducted by WWF, 65 percent of the litter on the coastal areas consists of plastic bottles, wrappers, bags, disposable utensils, etc.
Pakistan must not allow untreated waste to be dumped into the sea.

Plastic should be banned!
What's your opinion?
This is very alarming situation for Pakistan. It is the right time to reduce our plastic consumption and adopt alternate means. Furthermore, we must promote the plastic free practices.
Maritime Environment Watch (National)
Indus River ranked as the second most plastic-polluted river in the world
Research highlighted by the United Nations shows that 90% of the 8m tonnes of plastic waste entering the world's oceans emanates from just 10 rivers. Eight of them are in Asia. The Yangtze River is by far the worst culprit, responsible for 1.47m tonnes alone. The Indus River carry the second highest amount of plastic debris that is 164,332 tonnes into the ocean.

Kuwait
Newspaper

Authorities locate missing child found drowned at sea
January 2, 2021

Kuwait Fire Force’s Maritime Rescue Department has managed to retrieve the dead body of a child who was swept up at the shores of the Arabian Gulf besides the Kuwait Towers after a week-long search.

The body of the child, who had been missing after a sailing expedition at sea with his father, was recovered after its whereabouts was reported to authorities.

Kuwait Fire Force chief Lt Gen Khaled Al-Mekrad extended his sincere condolences to the family of the deceased child, who had drowned after being in the company of his father, who suffered a similar fate.

Sea goers were urged to adhere to safety guidelines at sea, namely to closely monitor weather conditions, ensure that the vessel and navigation systems are in full working order and to maintain a means of communication with authorities in the event of an emergency...

Very Good News after so long time...
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Happy World Braille Day!
World Braille Day is a reminder of the importance of accessibility and independence for people who are blind or visually impaired. On this day we would like to appreciate great work by one of our alumni Ali shabbar, who is creator of DeafTawk – an Artificial Intelligence platform that translates voice into sign language in real time. Ali strives to empower handicapped individuals and increase inclusion of the deaf community in Pakistan. As he aptly describes, “I was born blind, but technology enabled me to be self-sufficient and independent".