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UNITED NATIONS, Aug 12 — Emphasizing the imperative of maintaining oceans as zones of peace, Pakistan has raised alarm at the UN Security Council over growing naval buildups, the militarization of key maritime zones, and attempts to assert regional dominance through force. Addressing a high-level debate on maritime security convened by Panama — which currently holds the Council’s presidency for August — Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, warned against efforts to marginalize coastal states and dominate strategic waters.
“Such attempts are counterproductive and must be firmly rejected,” the envoy asserted. “In certain circles, the seas are perceived not as a shared heritage but as arenas for asserting supremacy.” Although Ambassador Ahmad refrained from explicitly naming any country, diplomatic observers interpreted his remarks as a veiled reference to India, given the context of naval expansion and regional power projection.
“The oceans are our collective link,” the ambassador stated. “As a coastal nation located at the crossroads of vital sea lanes in the northern Arabian Sea, Pakistan attaches paramount importance to maintaining a secure, rules-based maritime order. This is essential not only for our national defense but also for economic resilience, regional connectivity, and ensuring food and energy security.”
Ambassador Ahmad’s comments came as part of a broader discussion among the 15-member Council on safeguarding maritime spaces from emerging threats, including geopolitical rivalries, resource competition, and environmental degradation.
