About the Author

Vice Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed Rao (retd) has more than 40 years of maritime experience. He has served on-board and commanded ships and is also a naval aviator, giving him vast experience of the coast. He raised PNS Makran at Pasni, as its first Commanding Officer and then raised PN’s Coastal Command as a flag officer and diligently worked for development of Pakistan’s coast. He has been Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) and was a member of Gwadar Port Implementation Committee at the start of the port project and actively contributed to its development. As Managing Director of Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works, he is credited with its turnaround. He remained an advisor to the Government of Pakistan for the development of shipbuilding industry and is considered the brains behind the conception of this industry’s development, its vision and plan for Pakistan, which has been approved by the Prime Minister. He has been an advisor to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, too. His recent book Elements of Blue Economy, is considered widely in Pakistan’s maritime circles and academia as a pioneering work in this domain. He is a regular speaker at National Defence University, Staff Colleges, National School of Public Policy, and seminars on maritime affairs.

About the Book

This book gives the readers an overview of the history of Makran coast from the ancient days of Gedrosia, Gwadar under Omani control, concerted efforts for its retrocession to Pakistan, to the more recent days of CPEC. It highlights key features of development of Gwadar deep-water port, its importance for Pakistan and focused attention needed to benefit from our coastal treasure. The book describes the features of the coast right from Gwatar Bay at the border with Iran to Sir Creek at the border with India. Vice Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed Rao (Retd) recounts his adventures and personal experiences from his early days as a Lieutenant on-board ships and flying helicopters from and along the arid and hitherto uninhabitable terrain of Makran coast bordering Iran, to his days as flag officer quite literally ‘shovelling’ mud, patrolling and marching with the Marines through the unhospitable marshes in the creek area bordering India and by sharing his experiences and lessons learnt through facing challenges while serving on the coast. The Admiral also gives the readers a view through his lens on how he has seen the coastal areas benefit from naval deployment, naval nation-building projects along the coast and highlights further opportunities for development.