NON-TRADITIONAL MARITIME SECURITY CHALLENGES IN IOR AND PAKISTAN’S ROLE IN REGIONAL MARITIME SECURITY INITIATIVES: AN APPRAISAL

Abstract

The non-traditional maritime security (NTMS) has become the most concerning factor for the states of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) due to distinctive and multifaceted challenges, which are getting more complex with advancements of technology and increasing presence of non-state actors in the region. The threats are deep and wide, and no maritime nation alone can combat them. Therefore,
regional security initiatives prove more effective. Pakistan is effectively dealing with NTMS threats and challenges in its maritime zones and areas of responsibility. The study aims to evaluate Pakistan’s contribution to addressing NTMS concerns as an individual state and being a member of different regional maritime security measures in IOR, and to identify the hurdles coming in the way of Pakistan in
addressing escalating NTMS threats more effectively and maintaining regional stability. The study has been conducted using descriptive analytical research design, using Pakistan’s role in regional maritime security as a case study. Primary, secondary and tertiary sources are used to collect and analyse data. Pakistan's response and regional collaboration to address NTMS concerns in IOR are explained using a theoretical framework of regionalism; Hence, making it a relevant research with the contemporary regional and global environment.