Draft:Exclusive economic zone of Pakistan
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The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Pakistan is a maritime area in the Arabian Sea, over which the Islamic Republic of Pakistan exercises sovereign rights for the exploration, exploitation, conservation, and management of natural resources, both living and non-living, and for other economic activities. This zone extends up to 200 nautical miles (370.4 km) from Pakistan's baselines, encompassing the water column, the seabed, and its subsoil.[1] The establishment and effective management of this EEZ are vital for Pakistan's economic development and its growing focus on the maritime sector.
History
[edit]Pakistan declared its territorial waters and maritime zones through the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act of 1976.[2] This legislation established Pakistan's Exclusive Economic Zone extending up to 200 nautical miles from its baselines. Pakistan formally ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on 26 February 1997, with the Convention entering into force for the country on 28 March 1997.[1] In 2015, Pakistan's continental shelf limits were extended from 200 nautical miles to 350 nautical miles by the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, adding an additional 50,000 square kilometers to its maritime jurisdiction.[3]
Details
[edit]Pakistan's Exclusive Economic Zone covers a substantial area in the Arabian Sea. The EEZ is approximately 290,000 square kilometers (110,000 sq mi), which is equivalent to more than 30% of its land area.[4] With the extension of its continental shelf, Pakistan's total maritime area under jurisdiction has significantly increased. This maritime zone is rich in both living and non-living resources. The marine fisheries sector is a vital component, with Pakistani waters possessing rich marine life, including pelagic and demersal fish, shrimp, and other shellfish.[5] There is also significant potential for offshore oil and natural gas deposits, particularly in the deeper waters of the continental shelf.[6]
Disputes
[edit]Pakistan has engaged in maritime boundary delimitation with its neighbors, successfully resolving some disputes while one significant issue remains.
Resolved disputes
[edit]Pakistan-Iran resolved disputes
[edit]Pakistan has successfully delimited its maritime boundary with Iran. The maritime boundary line dividing the internal waters, territorial seas, contiguous zones, and exclusive economic zones of Pakistan and Iran was established through an agreement signed in Tehran on 16 June 1997, which entered into force subsequently.[1]
Pakistan-Oman resolved disputes
[edit]The maritime boundary line between the Exclusive Economic Zones of Pakistan and Oman was defined in Article 3 of the Muscat Agreement between the two states, dated 12 June 2000. This agreement was jointly registered on 6 June 2002 and entered into force on 21 November 2000.[1]
Unresolved disputes
[edit]Sir Creek and EEZ dispute with India
[edit]A significant unresolved maritime dispute for Pakistan is with India, concerning the delimitation of the maritime boundary in the Sir Creek area.[7] This dispute involves both the land boundary in the Sir Creek estuary and the subsequent delineation of the maritime boundary seaward into the Arabian Sea.[8] The issue has been a subject of numerous rounds of bilateral talks, but a mutually satisfactory resolution has remained elusive, partly due to Pakistan's historical stance of linking it with the Kashmir conflict.[9]
Issues
[edit]Pakistan faces several challenges in effectively managing and developing its Exclusive Economic Zone.
Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by foreign and local vessels is a significant concern, leading to the depletion of fish stocks and substantial economic losses.[10] Limited surveillance capabilities and insufficient enforcement mechanisms hinder the effective monitoring and protection of its vast maritime area. Marine pollution, stemming from land-based sources, industrial waste, and maritime traffic, poses a growing threat to the delicate marine ecosystems and biodiversity within Pakistan's EEZ.[11]
Plans
[edit]Pakistan has increasingly recognized the strategic and economic importance of its maritime domain and is working towards a "Blue Economy" framework to unlock its full potential. This strategy aims to promote sustainable utilization of marine resources, enhance maritime trade, and foster ocean-related industries. Key initiatives include strengthening the marine fisheries sector through improved management practices, promoting sustainable aquaculture, and combating IUU fishing.[5]
See also
[edit]
- Foreign relations with neighbours
- Ocean management
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Submission The Government of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan Establishment of the Outer Limits of the Continental Shelf of Pak" (PDF). United Nations. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ "Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (Act No. LXXXII)". FAOLEX, FAO.org. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ "Territorial waters: Pakistan's sea grows by 50,000 sq kms". The Express Tribune. 2015-03-21. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ "Countries with the Largest Exclusive Economic Zones". WorldAtlas. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ a b "Economic prosperity through Pakistan Marine Fishery: Opportunities and Challenges". Pakistan Journal of Marine Research. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ Habib, Fatima (2017). "The Maritime Neighbor: Pakistan's Relations with Oman – A Review". Policy Perspectives: The Journal of the Institute of Policy Studies. 14. ScienceOpen. doi:10.13169/polipers.14.1.0105. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ Misra, Amit K. (2010-01-29). "THE SIR CREEK BOUNDARY DISPUTE: A Victim of India-Pakistan Linkage Politics" (PDF). Durham University. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ Ali, S. M. "Indo-Pak Maritime Relations and a proposed joint fishery regime: A human rights perspective" (PDF). United Nations. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ Pattanaik, Smruti S. "Strategic Analysis: Trends in the Delimitation of India's Maritime Boundaries". Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO). Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ "THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN - Fisheries Country Profile" (PDF). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ Khan, Muhammad Asif (2022). "PAKISTAN: A STATE PROMOTING MARITIME SECURITY TRENDS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN". Pakistan Journal of International Affairs. 5 (4). Retrieved 2025-07-02.