Gwadar is not only a vital link for CPEC but also connects Industrialised Europe, Hydrocarbon Rich Middle East and Energy Transporting Indo-Pacific Region. As part of One Belt One Road (OBOR) Initiative, Pakistan has already started accruing the diplomatic, defence and economic benefits. Pakistan’s value for OBOR and CPEC is mainly because of it being a littoral state at the mouth of Hurmoz Strait. In order to improve its strength in the region it will be relevant for Pakistan to remain viable for OBOR and CPEC. At the time once regional and extra regional players have already indicated their concerns over these projects it is further imperative for Pakistan to assert more for success of these projects especially the CPEC. Being a vital littoral state it is imperative for The Government of Pakistan to have a deeper look in to its maritime affairs for a prudent maritime policy formulation. Pakistan is blessed with 2,90,058 square kilometers of sea waters and 1047 kilometers long coast. Annually about 36,000 ships sail through its water that is about 40 per cent of total global ship sail. As sea lies is in the south of country so majority of Pakistani population has not even physically seen the sea which has caused National Sea Blindness’. Timely seaward awareness for the masses especially for the policy makers is a vital necessity. The knowledge about the maritime matters will be the first step towards understanding, evaluation and formulation of a pragmatic Pakistan Maritime Policy’. Efforts made by Pakistan Navy in this regard by organising a median Maritime Security Workshop’ for the policy makers in Sep 2017 can prove to be role model for government and private institutions. During the Maritime Security Workshop many of the participants first time visited vital institutions like Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) , Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited (KS&EW), Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Naval installations, creeks and costal belt including Gwadar Port. These visits in combination with the briefing by the institution heads with a view to highlight maritime concerns of country and the dynamics of CPEC proved to be very prudent for the participants. With a view formulate a pragmatic maritime policy for the country following cardinals should be considered: Tapping of its sea resources within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extending up to 250 nautical miles in the Arabian Sea Potent and secure domestic and international sea trade Defence of Pakistani sea, cost and relevant facilities and institutions To establish an autonomous authority for handling maritime affairs Aligning the opportunities and securities with initiatives like OBOR and CPEC Maritime institutions of Pakistan are endeavouring to perform as per the global maritime environments however it is valued that with improved governmental focus and patronage these institutions can come up to futuristic emerging dynamics of global maritime domain. PMSA apart from security of entire EEZ is also internationally obliged for Search and Rescue up to 840 nautical miles deep into the Arabian Sea with little resources of fewer boats and a surveillance aircrafts. Such a colossal task needs lot more and modernised equipment and resources for a prudent execution of assigned task. A total of about 21,000 boats sail in Pakistani territorial waters, majority of which are not registered. In 2016 Pakistan Navy supported the process and registered approximately 1000 boats. The process of registration leads to identification of boats hence improves the much needed security of maritime resources. Only in case of India about 1500 hundred Indian boats have been caught in Pakistani territorial waters that led to loss of about seven million tons of fish. Apart from registration of the boats it will be relevant to monitor their movement in the sea through electronic means. Safety of maritime resources also means clean sea water ever improving marine life which demands clean seas by adopting strict sewerage discipline. Pakistan National Shipping Corporation is a vital commercial maritime segment of Pakistan. Presently world trade volume is about $16.49 trillion of which over 90 per cent is carried out by sea. PNSC having a total deadweight tonnage capacity of 681,801 metric tons has lifted cargo about 13.326 million tons during 2015-16 which is 16 per cent of country’s total 83.286 million tons of seaborne trade. Although PNSC is improving however the speed is slow and vessels are few. It is imperative to evaluate that in case of war will this fleet consisting of only nine vessels be able to provide even existing 16 per cent of country’s total cargo. It is also relevant to realise that during war 84 per cent cargo which is being brought in by foreign ships will extra-ordinary burden on national exchequer PNSC is facing significant risks including, strategic, commercial and operational risks. Considering the dire need of self-reliance and to share the benefits of OBOR and CPEC it is vital to enhance the national shipping capability in time. KS&EW which was established in 1957 is ultimately progressing well and consists of large shipbuilding hall, two block fabrication areas, three ship building berths, two dry docks. A ship lift and transfer system with a lifting capacity of 7881 tons with 13 parking stations is being installed and is planned to be completed by end 2017. KS&EW being the only such asset of the country needs special concessions to not only compete in global arena but to also improve the shipping lane for self-reliance especially during difficult situations. The efforts being made by Karachi Port Trust to enhance the port handling facilities by establishing new and modern berths, oil piers, construction of a deeper port should be improved at faster speed for timely catching up with emerging opportunities. There is a dire need to expand and clean the channels or to find additional/alternate channels. Channel and harbor should be made clean and pollution free. Marine life is also a vital asset for any country. Presently role of fishers in national economy is low to only 1 per cent of GDP. Fisheries industry share just 4 per cent of labour force; as only 400,000 thousand people are directly involved in fisheries and 600,000 are involved in ancillary industry. Annual per capita fish consumption in Pakistan is 2 kilogram per head. Pakistan has only 40 fish and shrimp plants, 150 exporters and only one shrimp hatchery. In 2016-17 only 797, 000 metric tons of fish was produced. Presently fish and shrimp export is worth an amount U.S $ 394 million against the potential export capability of $2 billion per annum. It is surprising to know that Balochistan with 80 per cent of cost only produces 29 per cent of fish and shrimps. Timely patronage by the government especially in field of research and facilities will not only cover the export gap of $1.606 billion but will also make this industry viable for future. As for as the success of CPEC there is a dire need the speed up the development of Gwadar Port and Gwadar City. It is valuable to provide basic needs like water and power not only for the port and city but also for the planned expansion of the port and industry. Provision of Technical Training for port handling and industrial development should be done by government under a pragmatic plan and should not only be left to the voluntary efforts of Pakistan Army and Navy. Considering the emerging opportunities in form of OBOR and CPEC, regional and extra regional concerns, extension and exploration of EEZ and development of maritime resources there is a dire need to equip the maritime institutions and Pakistan Navy with advanced equipment including surveillance aircrafts and at least two submarines having the capability to launch ballistic missiles. The capacity of Pakistan Navy to defend the creeks needs to be enhanced by providing better surveillance, mobility equipment and additional troops. With a view to improve the maritime security government should focus on facets like seaward awareness, prevention of any threat, protection and response to any threat, defence realm, maritime campaign, maritime safety, dealing with natural disaster. It is matter of pride to know that Pakistan Navy has been handed over the command of multi-national naval maritime security and counter terrorism collation named as Combined Task Force- 150. TF-150 is one the three task forces within the ambit of Combined Maritime Forces. The area of operation spans over 2 million square miles, encompassing Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman. It is imperative for the government to not only to formulate a pragmatic maritime policy but also to execute it in an early time frame to accrue the benefits of OBOR and CPEC.