Pakistan is set to become the first South Asian nation to ratify the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced this during a meeting with UNESCO’s Dr. Cristina Menegazzi in Islamabad. This marks a major step toward preserving Pakistan’s submerged maritime legacy.
The minister and UNESCO discussed ways to document, protect, and promote Pakistan’s underwater archaeological sites. These sites include shipwrecks, submerged landscapes, ancient piers, lighthouses, and historic trade routes along the Arabian Sea. Maritime archaeology is gaining attention worldwide for its importance in understanding history and climate.
Minister Chaudhry said Pakistan will prioritize environmentally responsible research. The government will use non-invasive technologies like remote sensing and photogrammetry. Excavations will follow strict scientific rules to protect marine ecosystems. The minister also requested UNESCO’s help to register historic maritime buildings in Karachi and proposed a maritime history museum.
Pakistan’s underwater heritage also offers insights into climate change. Submerged sites reveal past sea levels and environmental patterns, helping to understand today’s coastal challenges. The minister emphasized that joining the UNESCO convention will strengthen Pakistan’s role internationally in cultural preservation and climate action.
UNESCO welcomed Pakistan’s commitment and pledged technical support. This collaboration aligns with global efforts to protect cultural heritage from natural disasters. UNESCO experts recently urged preventive measures to safeguard world heritage sites, including Pakistan’s Makli tombs, affected by floods and rains.