Turbat, The University of Turbat has announced the approval of a significant research project by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC), titled “Socio-Economic Impact of CPEC on Non-Traditional Maritime Security and Sustainable Development of Balochistan’s Blue Economy: A Case Study of Fisheries and Seafood Industry.” This project, with a budget of Rs. 17 Million, is a collaborative effort involving Mr. Changiz Ahmed from the University of Turbat and Dr. Maliha Zeba from the National University of Modern Languages in Islamabad.

According to University of Turbat, the research project is part of the HEC’s CPEC Collaborative Research Grant-2022 and aims to explore the socio-economic impacts of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on maritime security and the sustainable development of Balochistan’s blue economy, focusing particularly on the fisheries and seafood sectors. The initiative also underscores the academic partnership between the University of Turbat and other educational institutions, promoting inter-university cooperation on critical research topics.

Prof. Dr. Jan Muhammad, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Turbat, along with the university fraternity, has extended congratulations to Mr. Changiz Ahmed and the Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC) team for their successful grant application. The Vice-Chancellor also praised ORIC’s continuous efforts to support faculty achievements and facilitate impactful research projects.

This project is especially significant considering Balochistan’s strategic and economic importance in the context of CPEC. The coastal region of the province, rich in natural resources, holds considerable maritime significance, which this study aims to harness and analyze through its research outcomes.