Exploring the Role of Blue Economy in Sustainable Development: A Perspective from Pakistan

Shahzad Ali Gill; Jawad Iqbal

doi:10.53963/pjmr.2021.002.1

Authors

Shahzad Ali Gill Shahzad Ali Gill is a Ph.D. Scholar in the Institute of Business, Management and Administrative Sciences at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan and can be reached at shahzadaligill@gmail.com. Author
Jawad Iqbal Dr. Jawad Iqbal is Professor and Dean Faculty of Management Sciences & Commerce and Director Institute of Business, Management and Administrative Sciences at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan and reachable at jawad.iqbal@iub.edu.pk Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53963/pjmr.2021.002.1

Keywords:

Blue Economy, Blue Growth, Blue Tourism, Blue Finance, Sustainable Development, Sustainability, SDGs, Coastal Communities, Triple Bottom Line (3BL), Pakistan

Abstract

Being covered by oceans around 71%, Planet Earth is a blue planet. More than three billion people depend on this natural capital for the sustenance of their lives and livelihoods. Given its twin objectives of securing growth and sustainability, the blue economy has become a pivotal policy discourse. This qualitative study aims to explore the role of the blue economy and sustainable development in the contextual settings of Pakistan. Being a bonafide maritime nation and one of the significant littoral states in the Indian Ocean, Pakistan is blessed with immense blue potential that mostly remained untapped. Despite making reasonable efforts, the country is not making headway towards sustainability. Drawing upon Triple Bottom Line Theory, the study adopts an interpretive research paradigm and collects primary data through semistructured in-depth interviews with the blue economy experts (n=15) selected through non-probability purposive sampling. The researchers performed a thematic analysis of the primary data and discussed the identified themes. The study confirms that the blue economy and sustainable development are compounding, and Pakistan can’t afford their mutual exclusivity. While calling attention to several socio-economic, political, institutional, legal, security, and environmental challenges, the study informs that Pakistan’s geostrategic location and blue economy potential enable it to turn the tide towards sustainable development. To this effect, the country needs to put in titanic efforts across all spheres to bear out its national and international commitments towards both. The study also contributes to the budding literature on blue economy and sustainable development. With an improved understanding of both phenomena, the study stimulates advanced research and backs the national and international policy discourse. The study also notifies the directions for future research along with limitations and policy implications.