KARACHI: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has said the Indian Ocean should not be the centre of tensions and strategic contention, rather it should be a centre of opportunities and shared progress.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the concluding session of Aman Dailogue 2025, organised by the Pakistan Navy in collaboration with the National Institute of Maritime Affairs here on Monday.

He said that Pakistan preferred collaboration over confrontation and trade over tensions.

According to him, the Aman Dialogue is an example of mutual trust and shared prosperity which signifies Pakistan`s commitment and resolve towards a peaceful maritime sector.

The minister said the oceans were facing evolving challenges of illegal fishing, piracy, drug and human trafficking, which could be only tackled by embracing the modern technology.

`Pakistan is determined to pursue the fruits of a blue economy, which is reflected in `Uraan Pakistan` programme through which we are modernising and digitising the ports, enhancing shipping trade routes, enabling AI in trade, and connecting the routes via CPEC corridors,` he said.

He hoped that relations built through the Aman Dialogue would turn in long-standing partnerships for the betterment of the maritime sector and that it would yield results in shared progress and peacefulhorizons.

The minister also pressed the maritime community to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and modern technology with the developing of ethical and legal guidelines in the sector.

He expected that the international dignitaries and guests would carry Pakistan`s message of peaceful maritime aspirations with them.