KARACHI: The Pakistan Navy has started the Sea Guards drills to address challenges facing the country’s maritime sector.
The exercise will continue until February 9, bringing all major government bodies and private organisations affiliated to the maritime sector, the navy’s media wing said on Monday.
Vice Admiral Faisal Amin attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest.
The exercises combine structured dialogue sessions with practical sea-based drills.
Conducted under the supervision of the Pakistan Navy, Sea Guards 2026 aims to assess key challenges facing the maritime sector and enhance coordination among relevant institutions.
Addressing the ceremony, Vice Admiral Faisal Amin said that confidence in the Joint Maritime Information and Coordination Centre (JMICC) had grown among both public- and private-sector organisations.
He noted that the theme of the Sea Guards exercises is “Safe Seas, Prosperous Pakistan.”
Message from Commander Coast on the Occasion of Exercise Sea Guard 2026 #TogetherForSaferSeas #ExerciseSeaGuard2026 #CommanderCoast #MaritimeSecurity#3rdSeaGuard #PakistanNavy pic.twitter.com/o3mkqfAkZe
— DGPR (Navy) (@dgprPaknavy) February 2, 2026
Highlighting the economic potential of the fishing industry, he said it could generate billions of dollars annually if developed effectively.
He added that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs had taken meaningful steps over the past year to improve the sector, but warned that Pakistan’s seas were becoming increasingly polluted.
Vice Admiral added that marine conditions were far cleaner 25 years ago compared to today.
He revealed that two projects aimed at controlling marine pollution were currently underway in collaboration with the Sindh government.
He added that the Sea Guards exercises were being conducted in the context of emerging non-traditional threats.
He further stated that a Vessel Monitoring System for fishing boats was nearing completion.
Emphasising capacity building, he stressed the need to improve fishermen’s awareness and skills. Environmental pollution control drills will also be conducted as part of the Sea Guards exercises.
Vice Admiral Faisal Amin said the Sea Guards initiative had helped establish stronger coordination among various maritime sector institutions.
Expressing optimism over the successful conduct of the exercises, he added that the Pakistan Navy continues to advocate, at every forum, for expanding the fishing sector as part of efforts to address marine pollution and strengthen the maritime economy.
