Pakistan made an entry into international maritime arena after clinching an important seat of UN Commission on Limits of Continental Shelf (CLCS).
Commodore Muhammad Arshad has been elected as member of the commission for a 5 years term commencing 2012. He is professional Hydrographer with a wide range of experience in Hydrography, Cartography and Ocean sciences.
A commission on the Limits of Continental Shelf is an entity of UN, an expert forum having global representation of eminent scientists in the field of ocean sciences. The commission consists of 21 members elected based on regional representation around the globe and mandated with the duties of examining and qualifying submissions made by coastal states in respect of outer limits of their Continental shelves. The successful submissions enable the coastal states to annex an additional sea area in to their existing maritime jurisdictions of 200NM. Pakistan is one of the applicants, and has filed its claim in UN Commission after submitting a scientific case based on hydrography, geological and morphological evidence.
The recent election of UN CLCS for the term 2012 to 2017 was held in New York. Pakistan Government nominated Commodore Muhammad Arshad, Hydrographer of Pakistan Navy to contest for this vital seat in UN Commission. After an exhaustive round of voting, Commodore Muhammad Arshad has won the election by gaining 139 votes. Selection of Commodore Muhammad Arshad has been officially declared by UN and posted on its website.
This is the first time Pakistan candidate has been elected for UN. Representation besides being a hallmark for the country would accrue professional reorganization in the World’s highest forum.
