Arabian Sea Center for Development – Initiative to Revive and Restore the Port city of Karachi as the Regional Maritime and Logistic Hub

The Arabian Sea Center for Development is an initiative to revive Karachi’s glory. This is a non political and non partisan initiative to economically develop the port city of Karachi which will spur sustainable development in Pakistan. The Arabian Sea Center for Development is being established as a regional think tank and comprises of professionals, stakeholders and representatives of the academia, media and business community. The aim is to carry out evidence based research and convey policy and operational recommendations and proposals to the relevant policy making fora. The Arabian Sea Center for Development aims to contribute meaningfully and in a transparent manner to a reforms and evidence based development agenda of the country. The Arabian Sea Center for Development has a pronounced and visible digital prescence both at national and international level and holds regular hybrid events and seminars. The Centers domain is inclusive of Climate Resilience, Blue Economy , Green Fuels , Refineries up gradation , Rail Infrastructure, Transit trade with Central Asia , Inland Waterways to reduce the Carbon Footprint all actions which will attract local and international investment and stimulate Pakistan’s economy. Of course establishment of Karachi’s coast as an internet hub to Central Asia is essential to enhance internet connectivity and digital trade and commerce. The cosmopolitan city of Karachi was the regional tourism, maritime and logistics and aviation hub. While Karachi remains the commercial , financial and industrial center of Pakistan it has not kept pace with regional developments. The city of Karachi can become a major contributor in enhancing Pakistan’ s Food , Energy and Water Security. Certain issues have to be addressed such as reducing the cost of freight and transportation and overall reducing the cost of doing business. Matters of agreements of Independent Power Producers resulting in high tariffs of electricity need to be reviewed. The existing tax regime should be rationalised on an equitable pattern as it is stifling growth. Such measures will lead to Export diversification and also enhanced exports. It goes without saying that the human resource capacity has to be improved considerably. Environmental degradation of roads , flow of untreated and raw sewage into rivers and the Arabian Sea has to be eliminated. The regulatory environmental control of industrial effluents and medicinal and plastic waste has to be ensured. Biodiversity and conservation of marine habitats and mangroves is necessary to comply with international conventions and treaties. Urban centers have to be provided with adequate civic amenities and health and educational facilities of high standards to stop the unchecked migration towards Karachi. Pakistan requires to be in legal and operational conformity with international treaties and conventions in many areas including food processing and export , Deep Sea Fishing , shipping and ship breaking and seafarers welfare . The Exclusive Economic Zone and the offshore and onshore sedimentary basin has to be fully exploited. Perhaps no luxury hotel has been built since the early eighties nor any internationally accredited hospital been established. A lot of work has to be done to regain Karachi’s previous regional status. Addressing core commercial and economic issues , encouraging research and holding of debate and publishing of impact factor publications would go a long way in restoring Karachi to its regional status as a commercial , economic , logistical and financial hub of Pakistan.

The inaugural event of The Arabian Sea Center for Development took place  at Pakistan American Cultural Center (PACC) , Karachi on 9th January , 2025

Regards,

Nadir Mumtaz

Chairman Arabian Sea Center for Development