Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Wednesday said advanced space-based monitoring systems could play a vital role in safeguarding seas, improving maritime management and strengthening responses to environmental threats.
Junaid Chaudhry made the remarks during a visit to the headquarters of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), marking the first-ever such visit by any maritime affairs minister in the country.
During the visit, Chairman SUPARCO Yusuf Khan and senior officials provided the minister with a detailed briefing on the organisation’s operations and technological capabilities. The discussions highlighted SUPARCO’s role in satellite monitoring, maritime safety, and port management.
The minister was also presented with a satellite-based assessment of potential sites for new ports, reflecting Pakistan’s focus on expanding its maritime infrastructure. In addition, officials outlined plans for relief and rescue operations within national maritime boundaries, leveraging satellite technology and artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency and response times.
Addressing the participants, Junaid Chaudhry stressed the importance of leveraging satellite technology to tackle environmental and ecological challenges, including the impacts of climate change and disaster risks facing the country’s coastline and maritime sector.
He underscored the need to conserve ocean biodiversity, ensure the sustainable use of marine resources and enhance cooperation on marine environmental protection, saying Pakistan was working to align its national maritime policies with global conservation commitments.
The minister said the protection of marine life, including in areas beyond national jurisdiction, had become increasingly important, noting that Pakistan is a member of the Ocean Biodiversity Treaty. As a participating country, he added, Pakistan supports international efforts aimed at protecting ocean ecosystems and ensuring the long-term sustainability of marine resources.
During the briefing, SUPARCO officials offered to develop artificial intelligence-based solutions for ports, including systems to monitor cargo dwell time and address customs-related inefficiencies through the Artificial Intelligence Maritime Secretariat (AIMS) established at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.
The meeting also explored ways to institutionalise cooperation between the ministry and SUPARCO. Junaid Chaudhry said a formal signing ceremony would be held to systemise collaboration and provide a structured framework for joint initiatives. Both sides agreed to appoint focal persons to expedite coordination and implementation of agreed projects.
SUPARCO officials highlighted the organisation’s role in space science and satellite technology, with particular emphasis on maritime applications. They briefed the minister on the use of high-resolution satellite imagery and digital modelling to monitor mangroves, track maritime traffic and detect oil spills along the coast.
The minister was also informed about SUPARCO’s capabilities in cyclone and storm surge hazard detection through coastal storm surge modelling. He praised the agency’s contribution to disaster management, saying early warning systems could help alert coastal communities ahead of severe weather events, potentially saving lives and reducing economic losses.
Junaid Chaudhry further lauded SUPARCO’s participation in the international Cospas-Sarsat programme, which provides satellite-based search and rescue services. He said Pakistan could gain further benefits by integrating beacon-based systems into maritime operations to enhance safety and emergency response at sea.
In addition, SUPARCO briefed the minister on urban flood hazard modelling and its potential integration into future planning for coastal and port safety. Continuous monitoring systems, officials said, could also help address coastal pollution, seawater intrusion and broader environmental compliance challenges.
“We can benefit from continuous monitoring of coastal ecosystems to assess water quality, sediment dispersion and overall environmental health,” the minister said, adding that data-driven approaches were essential for informed policymaking in the maritime sector.
The minister noted that Pakistan’s coastline is increasingly vulnerable to climate-related threats, such as rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and extreme weather, emphasizing the importance of stronger collaboration between maritime authorities and scientific institutions, he concluded.
