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‘Navigating Legal Horizons: Seafarers’ Manual on Naval Operations and Law of the Sea during Peace and War’ launched Handbook provides ample guidance in maritime laws, cyber-maritime security and AI-enabled weapons systems: Vice Admiral Ahmed Saeed The National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) has unveiled its flagship publication, “Navigating Legal Horizons: Seafarers’ Manual on Naval Operations and Law of the Sea during Peace and War” at a ceremony attended by senior military officials, members of judiciary, diplomats, legal experts, maritime professionals, and media representatives. The handbook is seen as useful manual for sailors and seafarers in times of both peace and war. The book not only deals with the uncertain situations like crossing into foreign waters, fishing and sailing there it also explains the right course to be taken under such circumstances. President of the NIMA, Vice Admiral (R) Ahmed Saeed the co-author of the book and a driving force behind the idea was applauded by the speakers and participants at the book-launching ceremony. They called the publication of manual something that was due for decades. Former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Gen (R) Zubair Mahmood Hayat was the Chief Guest on the occasion while former Chiefs of Naval Staff including Admiral Noman Bashir, Admiral Abdul Aziz Mirza, Vice Admiral (R) Ahmed Tasneem, Pre-Rector Bahria University Rear Admiral (R) Muhammad Arshid Javed, Additional Foreign Secretary (Africa) Hamid Asghar Khan and Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed were among the noted guests on the occasion. The book-launch turned out to be a well-attended affair as one could see representation from almost all segments of society, students, intelligentsia, academia, strategists, policy makers etc in attendance. Gen Zubair commended the manual as a visionary document that reflects a commitment to maritime governance grounded in the rule of law, ethical responsibility, and strategic wisdom. I am struck by the comprehensiveness of the book, he said adding Pakistan enjoyed supremacy not only in ground and air combat but also in war at sea. Pakistan, he said was committed to international maritime law and our naval force is well-equipped to face any challenge. He appreciated collaboration between NIMA and the ICRC to come out with a useful publication. Gen Zubair emphasized that adherence to international maritime law was not only a legal obligation but also a strategic imperative for Pakistan. As water changes its course when come across some blockage I suggest Pakistan should also ignore the Indian stubbornness and move forward towards progress and prosperity adopting the path of blue economy. President NIMA, Vice Admiral (R) Ahmed Saeed paid compliments to his co-author Senior Research Fellow at NIMA, Cdre (R) Raheel Masood for taking pains and providing guidance on navigating the complexities of modern maritime law. This handbook is a dream come true, he said giving a brief background how the idea started and finally materialized after input from the renowned legal experts and jurists of the day. Our seafarers come across many difficulties particularly when it comes to dealing with other countries’ maritime laws. At that stage, this manual would go a long way in helping and guiding them in advance how to tackle a certain situation, he said. The manual he said synthesized key international frameworks, including UNCLOS and International Humanitarian Law, while addressing pressing issues such as cyber-maritime security and AI-enabled autonomous weapons systems. President NIMA thanked the ICRC for partnership and also acknowledged the support of the Friends of NIMA. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed in his keynote address, highlighted the manual’s timely release during a period of global transition and emphasized Pakistan’s strategic maritime position. He congratulated the NIMA leadership for bringing out a manual that could prove highly useful for seafarers not only in peace times but also during the crucial days of military escalation and in period of emergency. He also spoke appreciatively about the NIMA and its leadership for undertaking a complex but very important task. This manual will provide clear rules and guidelines to our sailors and seafaring traders what to do in unusual times, he said. Mushahid also called for changing the term ‘Indo-Pacific’ to ‘Asia-Pacific’ saying geographically it made no sense to attribute waters of other countries as Indian ocean. Mr. Christoph Sutter Head of the ICRC delegation in Pakistan praised the manual’s integration of humanitarian principles, describing it as an “Ethical Guide” for Pakistan’s maritime community. He saw the publication of the handbook an important step as it not only dealt with maritime laws it also explained human rights addressing the critical gap between legal doctrine and practical implementation. The book describes in details the UN Conventions of International Maritime Laws it also discusses in details the international humanitarian laws. For policy makers, researchers and scholars the manual can serve as a reference book. Amb Hamid Asghar Khan emphasized Pakistan navy should engage retired officers for training the new ones in the light of the ‘Navigating Legal Horizons: Seafarers’ Manual on Naval Operations and Law of the Sea during Peace and War.’ Blue water economy holds huge potential for Pakistan’s businessmen, investors, and trader community. He also called for exploring sea trade with African countries that can prove highly beneficial for the Pakistan economy. Exports to the African countries can not only boost our economy it can also reduce our dependence on the western countries and America for business and trade, he said. Earlier, in the reviewers’ session the manual received widespread acclaim. Distinguished legal experts including former Federal Minister and noted jurist Ahmar Bilal Soofi, Dr Hafiz Azizur Rehman, ASC Nisar A Mujahid, Barrister Shahrukh Iftikhar, Federal Shariah Court Judge, Justice Dr Syed Muhammad Anwar and Barrister Taimur Malik termed it an important step and useful addition on the maritime subject. Dr Muhammad Fayaz Dean of School of Law, BU, was the moderator of the reviewers’ session.
