Hybrid Threats to the Maritime Infrastructure of Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58932/MULG0064Keywords:
Hybrid threats, Maritime Infrastructure, Socio-Economic conditions, Security Architecture, RedundanciesAbstract
During a period of poly crisis, Pakistan has been trying to rebuild its economic infrastructure through the second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. But the lack of operationalization of Gwadar Port has raised eyebrows on Pakistan’s Maritime infrastructure which is primarily centered in or on Karachi. The overreliance on Karachi is of considerable concern due to cyber-attacks and maritime terrorism utilizing unscrewed ground, aerial and surface vehicles by VNSAs and VEOs. This paper endeavours to understand the various facets of Pakistan’s MIS via the model presented by Beuger and Liebetrau while highlighting the hybrid threats being faced in the context of the prevailing environment. The study explains the various factors that are contributing to the rise in hybrid threats by hybrid actors and proposes a plan to develop redundancies and resilience within the system so as to ensure development of multi domain security architecture.
References
Abro, R., (2024, May 12). Korangi fish harbour remains inoperative [News]. Express Tribune. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2466265/korangi-fish-harbour-remains-inoperative
Bhattacherjee, K., & Haidar, S., (2021, November 16). Pakistan outraged at presence of Baloch activist in India. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Pakistan-outraged-at-presence-of-Baloch-activist-in-India/article60271744.ece
Bockmann, M.W., (2019, August 16). Seized UK tanker likely ‘spoofed’ by Iran. Lloyds List. https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1128820/Seized-UK-tanker-likely-spoofed-by-Iran
Guterres, A., (2017). Counter-terrorism and human rights: Winning the fight while upholding our values [Speech]. https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2017-11-16/secretary-general%E2%80%99s-speech-soas-university-of-london-%E2%80%9Ccounter-terrorism-and-human-rights-winning-the-fight-while-upholding-our-values%E2%80%9D-delivered
Syed, B.S., (2024, March 3). Seizure of commercial consignment draws FO ire [News]. DAWN. https://www.dawn.com/news/1818604
Bueger, C., & Liebetrau, T. (2023). Critical maritime infrastructure protection: What’s the trouble? Marine Policy, 155, 105772. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105772
Swinhoe, D. (2022, December 6). The cable ship capacity crunch. Datacentre Dynamics. https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/analysis/the-cable-ship-capacity-crunch/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
DoD USS COLE Commission Report. (2001). US Department of Defence.
Economic Survey of Pakistan 2023-24. (2024, June). Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan. https://www.finance.gov.pk/survey/chapter_24/8_trade%20and%20payments.pdf
Alaphillipe, G.M.A., Adamczyk, R., & Gregoire, A., (2020.). Indian Chronicles. EU Disinfo Lab. Retrieved 19 June 2024, from https://www.disinfo.eu/
Guarav, K. (2021, July 18). Modi govt ensured Pakistan is retained on FATF grey list, says Jaishankar. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/modi-govt-ensured-pakistan-remained-on-fatf-grey-list-says-jaishankar-101626608739423.html
Hoffman, F. G. (2007). The Rise of Hybrid Wars. Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. http://www.potomacinstitute.org/
Houthi drone attacks on 2 Saudi Aramco oil facilities spark fires. (2019, September 14). [News]. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2019/9/14/houthi-drone-attacks-on-2-saudi-aramco-oil-facilities-spark-fires
Hussain, A. (2025, February 25). Can Pakistan’s new anti-extremism policy defeat rising armed attacks? [News]. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/25/can-pakistans-new-anti-extremism-policy-defeat-rising-armed-attacks
Jamal, U., (2023, November 27). Leaked Pakistani Documents Point to Indian Assassination Program [News/ Analysis]. The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2023/11/leaked-pakistani-documents-point-to-indian-assassination-program/
Jha, S., (2024, April 29). Indian fishing boat caught with 173 kg hashish sourced from Pakistan, 5 held [News]. Deccan Herald. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/gujarat/indian-fishing-boat-caught-with-173-kg-hashish-sourced-from-pakistan-5-held-3000257
Karachi-based fishermen go on strike against Balochistan govt. (2021, December 8). [News]. Business Recorder. https://www.brecorder.com/news/40138534
Khetran, M.S., (2017). Indian Interference in Balochistan: Analysing the Evidence and Implications for Pakistan. Strategic Studies, 37(3), 112–125. https://doi.org/10.53532/ss.037.03.00212
LaGrone, S. (2017, February 20). Navy: Saudi Frigate Attacked by Unmanned Bomb Boat, Likely Iranian. United States Naval Institute News. https://news.usni.org/2017/02/20/navy-saudi-frigate-attacked-unmanned-bomb-boat-likely-iranian
Loitering Munitions – The Threat to Merchant Ships. (2023). Oil Companies International Marine Forum. https://www.ocimf.org/document-libary/854-loitering-munitions-the-threat-to-merchant-ships-1/file
Mattis, J. N., & Hoffman, F. J. (2005). Future Warfare: The Rise of Hybrid Wars. Proceedings, 131(11).
MacArthur, D., (n.d.). Reminiscences. Naval Institute Press.
Ministry of Maritime Affairs Year Book 2022-23. (2023). Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Govt of Pakistan. https://moma.gov.pk/SiteImage/Misc/files/YEAR%20BOOK%202022-2023%20(09-04-2024)%20DS%20Final%20PDF-2.pdf
Faizan, M., (2022). Aquaculture As An Alternate Source For Economic Progression. The Beacon Journal, 2(1), 157–180.
Khan, N., (2025, February 16). Pakistan and Saudi naval forces conclude maritime exercise with live weapons firing [News]. Arab News. https://www.arabnews.com/node/2590393/pakistan
Najzer, B. (2020). The Hybrid Age. I B Tauris.
National Cyber Security Policy 2021. (2021). Government of Pakistan. https://moitt.gov.pk/SiteImage/Misc/files/National%20Cyber%20Security%20Policy%202021%20Final.pdf
NATO launches ‘Baltic Sentry’ to increase critical infrastructure security. (2025, January 14). North Atlantic Treaty Organization. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_232122.htm
Pakistan Maritime Security Agency Act. (1994, June 29). National Assembly of Pakistan. www.na.gov.pk
Pakistan Oil Report 2018-2019. (2019). Oil Companies Advisory Council. https://www.ocac.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Pakistan-Oil-Report-2018-19.pdf
PMSA : Assets / Bases. (n.d.). Pakistan Maritime Security Agency. Retrieved 1 January 2024, from https://pmsa.gov.pk/pmsa-bases
PNSC CSR Report 2024. (2024). Pakistan National Shipping Corporation. https://pnsc.com.pk/CSR-31OCT2024.pdf
Rauf, A. (2019, January 1). Pak-China Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) Project – Opportunities and Challenges. PIVOT, 1, 26–28.
Shahid, M.H., (2024, December 27). AMAN-25: Indispensable Exercise [News]. Daily Times. https://dailytimes.com.pk/1251270/aman-25-indispensable-exercise/
Shahid, S.M., (2024). Triangle of Progress—China Pakistan Economic Corridor, Ship Recycling and Steel Industry. Polaris – Journal of Maritime Research, VI(I), 54–75.
Shahid, M. H., & Zeb, R. (2024). Treading Turbulent Waters: Pakistan’s readiness to the looming threat of Maritime Terrorism. Margalla Papers, 211–225. https://doi.org/10.54690/margallapapers.28.1.249
Socio Economic Baseline Report 2016-17. (n.d.). WWF - Engro Foundation. Retrieved 1 May 2023, from https://wwfasia.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_engrosocioeconomic_baseline_survey_report__1.docx
Submarine cable Map (2025). https://www.submarinecablemap.com/submarine-cable/asia-connect-cable-1-acc-1
Transcript of RAW agent Kulbhushan’s confessional statement. (2016, March 30). [News]. DAWN. https://www.dawn.com/news/1248786
UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport 2024—Navigating Maritime Chokepoints. (2024). United Nations. https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/rmt2024overview_en.pdf
US spy drone ‘tricked’ into Iran landing by GPS spoofing. (2011, December 19). [Information]. TechCentral. https://www.techcentral.ie/us-spy-drone-tricked-into-iran-landing-by-gps-spoofing/
What is GPS spoofing? (n.d.). McAfee. Retrieved 1 March 2025, from https://www.mcafee.com/learn/what-is-gps-spoofing/
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Nautical Eye and Strategic Studies
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
