Maritime history of Pakistan

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Pakistan's maritime history centres around its Indian Ocean coastline in Sindh and Balochistan.

Contents

Ancient era

Baloch sailors have played a significant role in Indian Ocean trade networks. [1] Sindhi cities such as Mohenjo-daro and Barbarikon grew significantly from this trade as well. [2] The Indus River also facilitated exchanges. [3]

Medieval era

Banbhore, a Sindhi city that was historically near the sea, was greatly expanded after the early Arab Muslim conquests. [4]

Almost 30% of Omanis are of Baloch origin. They have been in the country for centuries, and contribute to positive Oman–Pakistan relations. [5]

Colonial era

Contemporary era

Before the 1948 Indian annexation of the princely state of Junagadh, Pakistan and Junagadh's Nawab reasoned that Junagadh was close enough to Pakistan, being linked by a sea route (Veraval to Karachi), to become part of Pakistan. [6] : 'Jinnah assured Bhutto that he would not allow Junagadh to be “starved out or tyrannized and that Veraval was not far from Karachi.”'</ref> Sir Creek continues to be party to a border dispute between India and Pakistan, with maritime trespassing taking place in the area. [7]

In the early years, the Pakistani Navy helped in setting up shipping services and improving port sites such as the Chalna Port (now Bangladesh's Port of Mongla). [8]

Post-1971

In 1974, the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) was formed, with the shipping industry being nationalised. From that point onwards, the sea-going capacity of Pakistan has declined. [9] Despite 95% of Pakistan's trade being conducted through the sea, there has been a lack of awareness and focus on developing the nation's maritime potential. [10] Territorial security threats on land have been a factor in the military paying less attention to the ocean, [11] with Oman's navy size surpassing Pakistan's. [12]

Gwadar Port Gwadar Port.jpg
Gwadar Port

Balochistan and its Gwadar Port have become important for Pakistan's modern maritime trade, with India and the United States concerned around Chinese involvement in the form of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor. [13]

During the 2025 India–Pakistan standoff, maritime trade was suspended between the two nations. [14]

References

  1. Shahrukh, Naufil (2024-06-28). "Transnational Baloch Ethnicity Across the Afro-Asian Ocean Region : Prospects for Regional Maritime Connectivity". Policy Perspectives. 21: 43–58. doi: 10.13169/polipers.21.1.ra3 . ISSN   1812-1829.
  2. Stefanile, Michele, "The development of Roman maritime trade after the Second Punic war", The Sea in History - The Ancient World, Boydell and Brewer Limited, pp. 258–267, ISBN   978-1-78204-908-1 , retrieved 2025-05-08
  3. "Glimpses of the maritime history of Pakistan - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  4. Mughal, Mohammad Rafique (1992). "Early Muslim Cities in Sindh and Patterns of International Trade". Islamic Studies. 31 (3): 267–286. ISSN   0578-8072.
  5. Habib, Fatima (2017). "The Maritime Neighbor: Pakistan's Relations with Oman – A Review" . Policy Perspectives. 14 (1): 105–119. doi: 10.13169/polipers.14.1.0105 . ISSN   1812-1829.
  6. "Maritime issues between Pakistan and India: seeking cooperation and regional stability". calhoun.nps.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  7. "The Pakistan Navy". U.S. Naval Institute. 1958-09-01. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
  8. "Pakistan shipping industry, brief history and role of seafarers in national development". Daily Times. 2020-04-22. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  9. Azmie, Sohail A. (2018-01-01). "Maritime Awareness in Pakistan". CISS Insight.
  10. Khan, Muhammad. "Maritime history and Muslims -II".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  11. Franklin, Smith and. "An Insight into Pakistan's Maritime Trade Comparing Maritime Neighborhood". researcherslinks.com. doi:10.17582/journal.pujz/2023.38.1.27.35 . Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  12. Shah, Ali Zaman (2017). "Geopolitical Significance of Balochistan: Interplay of Foreign Actors". Strategic Studies. 37 (3): 126–144. ISSN   1029-0990.
  13. "India and Pakistan Halt Maritime Trade". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 2025-05-08.