Pakistan to Become First South Asian Nation to Ratify UNESCO Underwater Heritage Convention

Pakistan to Become First South Asian Nation to Ratify UNESCO Underwater Heritage Convention
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Pakistan is set to become the first South Asian country to ratify the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH), according to a report from Dawn.com. The announcement was made by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, who stated that this is a significant step toward protecting the country’s submerged maritime legacy.

The ratification will safeguard a wide range of underwater sites, including shipwrecks, ancient infrastructure, and historic trade routes. Chaudhry emphasized that this move will establish Pakistan as a regional leader in cultural preservation and enhance its voice on international platforms regarding climate change. The government plans to use non-invasive technologies like remote sensing and photogrammetry for exploration and will only allow excavations under strict scientific guidelines.

The minister also requested UNESCO’s assistance in registering historic maritime buildings in Karachi, such as the Marine Fisheries Department and the Marine Lighthouse, and proposed the establishment of a maritime historical museum. He noted that submerged archaeological sites can offer valuable insights into past climate patterns. UNESCO representative Dr. Cristina Menegazzi expressed the organization’s support for technical and scientific cooperation in this area.