Maritime history of Pakistan
Pakistan's maritime history centres around its Indian Ocean coastline in Sindh and Balochistan.
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]
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
- ^ Shahrukh, Naufil (28 June 2024). "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.
- ^ 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 8 May 2025
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link) - ^ "Glimpses of the maritime history of Pakistan - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Mughal, Mohammad Rafique (1992). "Early Muslim Cities in Sindh and Patterns of International Trade". Islamic Studies. 31 (3): 267–286. ISSN 0578-8072.
- ^ 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.
- ^ * Raghavan, Srinath (2010). War and Peace in Modern India. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 31–32. ISBN 978-1-137-00737-7. Archived from the original on 19 August 2019.
- ^ "Maritime issues between Pakistan and India: seeking cooperation and regional stability". calhoun.nps.edu. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ "The Pakistan Navy". U.S. Naval Institute. 1 September 1958. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ^ "Pakistan shipping industry, brief history and role of seafarers in national development". Daily Times. 22 April 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Azmie, Sohail A. (1 January 2018). "Maritime Awareness in Pakistan". CISS Insight.
- ^ Khan, Muhammad Azam (14 June 2013). "Maritime history and Muslims -II". academia.edu. The Frontier Post. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
- ^ 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 8 May 2025.
- ^ Shah, Ali Zaman (2017). "Geopolitical Significance of Balochistan: Interplay of Foreign Actors". Strategic Studies. 37 (3): 126–144. ISSN 1029-0990.
- ^ "India and Pakistan Halt Maritime Trade". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 8 May 2025.