Pakistan Antarctic Survey

[U-571]

yesterday, i was surfing for antarctica info, i came across a very interesting info, pakistan actually has research station in antarctica, the only in the whole muslim world

some info on PAS

PAKISTAN ANTARCTIC PROGRAMME

The Pakistan Antarctic Programme (PAP) is a scientific administrative division of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) of Pakistan Government which represent its presence in the continent of Antarctica. The program coordinates the research and the operational scientific research in the region. The program is funded by Pakistan Science Foundation and the Ministry of Science and Technology, supports the research that can be done exclusively in the Antarctic region[1].
Currently, the PAP maintains and control 2 polar stations in the region. The first station being the Jinnah Antarctic Station (JNS) and the other station is known as Polar Research Cell (PRC) which was established within the National Institute of Oceanography in Karachi to co-ordinate all Antarctic related activities[2].
The Antarctic Programme was launched by the National Institute of Oceanography, with the full support of Pakistan Navy's Naval Weapons Engineering Division (NWED). In 1991, Prime minister Nawaz Sharif established the programme under control of Navy. On June 15, 1992, Pakistan became an Associate Member of Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research but did not acceded to the Antarctic Treaty due to economic reasons[3].
In January 1991, Pakistan dispatched an expedition to Greater Antarctica under the auspices of National Institute of Oceanography (NIO)[4]. As the programme was led the Navy, the PN dispatched a small battalion of Pakistan Marines along with the team of scientists boarded on PNS Tariq, the destroyer, and the PNS Behr Paima, the research vessel. The facilities were quickly expanded in the region, and Jinnah Antarctic Station (JNS) was given commissioned. The station houses an unmanned automatic Weather Station in which the weather data are transmitted to Pakistan via Argos Satellite System[5]. In 2001, the Badr-B was connected to the Weather Station as it was launched by the SUPARCO. In 2006, Pakistan established another station, known as Polar Research Cell (PRC) which was established within the National Institute of Oceanography. Both stations' data are transmitted to Pakistan via Badr-B Satellite. However, the new Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite System will be launched in the late of 2011 to replace the Badr satellite system program.

OBJECTIVES

The main objectives of Pakistan Antarctic programme are to undertake multidisciplinary research and survey the Antarctic region particularly in the field of geology and geophysics. Studies also include environmental research and oceanography. The programme is also designed to provide relevant technical information to the Government of Pakistan on Antarctic affairs.

RESEARCH STATION

Pakistan is maintaining a summer research station (Jinnah Antarctic Station) and one weather observatory in the vicinity of Sør Rondane Mountains. Pakistan is also planning to build a full fledged permanent base at Antarctica which will enable the programme to start operations in Antarctica throughout the year.

this is the jinnah station of pakistan located in

The Jinnah Antarctic Station (JAS) is an Antarctic scientific research station operated by the Pakistan Antarctic Programme.[1][2] It is located in the vicinity of Sør Rondane Mountains, Queen Maud Land in Eastern Antarctica.[2]

Pakistan signed Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) in 1991. And, the programme was launched by the scientists of National Institute of Oceanography, with the full pledged support of Ministry of Science and Technology of Pakistan Government. The program was led the Pakistan Navy as it had provided the logistic support to the programme. In 1991, the Jinnah Antarctic Station was established. Pakistan maintains two summer research stations and one weather observatory in the vicinity of SOR Rondane Mountain Range.
The facilities were quickly expanded by the NIO. Government advisors belonging to Ministry of Science and Technology frequently visited the area. Pakistan Naval engineers and scientists oversaw the development of the base. By the 1994, the base was technologically made advanced. In, 2001, the data operational system was connected to Badr-B satellite. The satellite send digital imagery of the region to NIO's Headquarter. In 2002, SUPARCO scientists visiting the base, where they had installed and sat up the advanced supercomputer equipped Control room, directly ran by the NIO and SUPARCO's scientists. Later, a communication gears were sat up with United States' Antarctic Program. In 2005, Air Force engineers and scientists built an small airstrip, and a control room to monitored the flights. As of today, the JAS is frequently visited by the US scientists who conduct their research with their Pakistani counterparts. As of 2010, the Pakistan Government has given a green light to expand the JAS facility into permanent lead operational base.

the location of jinnah station

 

[U-571]

another article from Dawn news


Pakistani Jinnah Arctic Station needs to be expanded



The “khanjar hilal ka” (crescent khanjar means sword) flutters high on the six continents of the world and yes, it flutters high even on Antarctica. The frozen wind may dampen the atmosphere but surely it does not dampen the spirits of the Pakistani men and women who trek to one of the coldest spots on earth.

Pakistan established the Jinnah Arctic Station in 1991. It is run by the National Institute of Oceanography of Pakistan. Pakistan maintains two summer research stations and one weather observatory in the vicinity of SOR Rondane Mountain Range. Pakistan is also planning to build a full fledged permanent base at Antarctica. It will enable us to start operations in Antarctica throughout Antarctic winter and summer.

The Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of Pakistan is responsible to run the Antarctic research programme in Antarctica. A Polar Research Cell has been established within National Institute of Oceanography to co-ordinate all Antarctic related activities. A number of national organisations are involved in Antarctic activities and are active participants of Pakistan Antarctic programme

A brave NOI shows up in the summer and then leaves. The media does not follow these unsung heroes. Most Pakistanis are unaware of the valiant efforts of the NOI. Of course the original planners of the station wanted to imprint a permanent presence of the Crescent and Star on the frozen planet. Simply having a presence is not enough. Teams of scientists, students and even Pakistani tourists need to visit Antarctica and bring back a plethora of experiences which can help Pakistan handle the rigors in Siachin and the Northern Areas.

The main objectives of Pakistan Antarctic programme include:

To undertake multidisciplinary research and survey in Antarctic region particularly in the field of geology and geophysics. Environmental research and oceanography.
To participate in the international scientific programmes in the Antarctic region.
To provide relevant technical information to the Government of Pakistan on Antarctic affairs at National and International level.
This is the time to improve its functioning and enhance its capabilities. Pakistan is an associate member of SCAR, (the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, is a committee of ICSU , the International Council for Science). Pakistan’s Associate membership needs to be upgraded to full membership. Some members of the Pakistani NOI have been dysfunctional and incompetent. Rupee News investigated the meeting records and the logs.

The NOI does not attend the meetings in Antarctica, and does not keep relations with the other stations. The NOI needs to garnish the support of friendly Muslim countries and lead a consortium to build other stations in Antarctica. The Jinnah Station needs to be expanded as a 12 month station which is open throughout the year. This would qualify Pakistan to become a full member of the Antarctic Treaty. The Treaty members decides the fate of the continent. The NOI needs to bring back pictures, and establish a web site that provides 24 hour reports to anyone that is interested.

Antarctica has been the focus of attraction for the world because of its global significance for influencing global weather, its unique position at the south pole, its potential for huge non-living and living resources, and its pristine environment to be used as natural laboratory for scientific research.

Decades ago the Governments of Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, the French Republic, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Union of South Africa, The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America, signed the original Arctic Treaty. Later other countries joined the treaty.



The Antarctic Treaty System is the whole complex of arrangements made for the purpose of regulating relations among states in the Antarctic. At its heart is the Antarctic Treaty itself. The original Parties to the Treaty were the 12 nations active in the Antarctic during the International Geophysical Year of 1957-58. The Treaty was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961. The Consultative Parties comprise the original Parties and a further fourteen States that have become Consultative Parties by acceding to the Treaty and demonstrating their interest in Antarctica by carrying out substantial scientific activity there.

The Antarctic Treaty of 1959 (http://www.ats.aq/). The treaty set aside the entire continent for peaceful scientific use only and outlines coexistence on the continent. Currently, there are 46 treaty member nations (http://www.scar.org/treaty/signatories.html): 28 consultative and 18 acceding. Consultative (voting) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory. The 21 non-claimant nations either do not recognize the claims of others, or have not stated their positions.

Pakistan’s National Institute of Oceanography maintains one station in Antarctica. It defines its own mission as “The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is located in Karachi. It was established in 1981 by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Pakistan (MoST). The main area of research of the Institute is the north Arabian Sea and beyond. The oceanic and atmospheric processes of the north Arabian Sea modify our climate, offer numerous living and non-living resources, Oceanographic research brings together all the scientific disciplines needed to study the ocean“ . The NIO does not list the Antarctica mission as a “current project“. Under scope of services “Tidal Energy” and exploration of Ran of Kuch area is not listed.

Antarctica Station South Pole
The Pakistani establishment recognises the importance of maintaining a research station on Antarctica. Pakistani scientists can learn a lot from Antarctica about Pakistan and Kashmir. Presence in Antarctica is important for nations of the world because it contains tremendous potential for oil and other minerals. India used its presence in Antarctica to train her soldiers for the occupation of Siachin.

How many Pakistanis want to grow up to be scientists in Antarctica? This site will update the information on the Jinnah Arctic Station. National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is located in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. It was established in 1981 through a Government Resolution to conduct multidisciplinary research in oceanography in the coastal and offshore areas of Pakistan (EEZ 24,000 km²). The institute has 30 qualified marine scientists working on ocean biology/productivity, marine chemistry and environment, physical oceanography/coastal hydraulics, marine geology and geophysics. National Institute of Oceanography: S.T. 47, Block-1Clifton, Karachi – 75600, niopk@cubexs.net.pk (requests for more information were not responded to)

The person in charge (http://www.niopk.gov.pk/list_per.html) is listed asR. M. M. RABBANI, Director General, Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography, Institute of Oceanography, University of Kiel, Germany, Diploma in Biological Oceanography, University of Kiel, Germany, M.Sc. in Marine Biology, University of Karachi, Pakistan. His area of interest is listed as Marine Ecology, Polar Biology.

SCAR, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, is a committee of ICSU, the International Council for Science, and it is charged with the initiation, promotion and co-ordination of scientific research in Antarctica. SCAR also provides international, independent scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty system.

Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, Scott Polar Research Institute, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1ER
United Kingdom, E-mail: info@scar.org. There is a National Committee of Associate Members (http://www.scar.org/about/officers/associatemembers/). Pakistan is an Associate Member of SCAR.

The Antarctic Treaty and related agreements, collectively called the Antarctic Treaty System or ATS, regulate international relations with respect to Antarctica, Earth’s only continent without a native human population. For the purposes of the treaty system, Antarctica is defined as all land and ice shelves south of the southern 60th parallel. The treaty has now been signed by 46 countries, including the now-defunct Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and set aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, established freedom of scientific investigation and banned military activity on that continent. This was the first arms control agreement established during the Cold War.

Since 1961, 39 countries, including the seven original claimants to portions of Antarctica, have become signatories to the Antarctica treaty. The Treaty declares that all claims will be held in abeyance for the term of the Treaty. The Treaty does not allow any new territorial claims to be submitted.

Pakistan is an Associate member of the SCAR, and maintains the Jinnah Station in Antarctica through the NIO (National Institute of Oceanography). India signed the treaty in 1983. The Indian Department of Ocean Development coordinates executes the national Antarctic programme and maintains an all year round station at Maitri Antarctica (70045′S, 11044′E).

The Antarctic Treaty bans any military activity in the defined area and prohibits nuclear testing. It limits national programmes to those of scientific research and ensures the free exchange of information and scientists among countries. Inspection rights are granted to the facilities and operations of other countries with a presence on the continent. Provisions are made to have an open skies regime, enabling aerial observation at any time over any and all areas of the Antarctic by any of the Contracting Parties that have the right to designate observers. Regular consultative meetings of the signatory states are held and disputes are resolved by peaceful negotiation including use of the International Court of Justice.

Currently 25 nations maintain a full-time presence on the continent. The treaty has been in force for 37 years and represents an accomplishments of international cooperation. Research in the Antarctic is pursued in many of the scientific disciplines suggested for the Siachen Science Centre. In the case of astronomy, for example, the Advanced Telescope Project (ATP) and South Pole Infrared Explorer (SPIREX) project collect information on the astronomical qualities of the region and study faint stars and galaxies.

The Treaty under Article XIII says that”It shall be open for accession by any State which is a Member of the United Nations, or by any other State which may be invited to accede to the Treaty with the consent of all the Contracting Parties whose representatives are entitled to participate in the meetings provided for under Article IX of the Treaty.”

London, England (***) – Five countries in the northern hemisphere continue to increase their military presence in the Arctic Circle as territorial disputes turn colder. The United States, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Russia are scrambling to establish solid, legal claims over the Arctic’s unexploited energy resources and exert control over its waterways and sea lanes.

According to Jane’s Defense Weekly, Arctic powers are expanding their military and civilian footprints in the region. Canada, Russia and the U.S. are investing in Arctic research, surveillance and combat assets and are boosting their operations to include more military exercises, over-flights and exploration missions using icebreakers.

Forces operating in the Arctic region are exploring the full range of military capabilities, since there is no ban on weapons in the Arctic as there is in Antarctica.

As the price of crude oil continues to rise, so too does the feasibility and economic viability of searching for and pumping oil from such remote locations. “Thanks to global warming, the ocean may turn into a new economic frontier,” Robert Wade, a professor of political economy at the London School of Economics told the Financial Times.

Scientists believe that as much as 30 percent of the world’s untapped oil reserves lay beneath the Arctic Ocean. According to Wood MacKenzie, an American energy research firm, a full 233 billion barrels of oil are known to exist in the region, while another 166 billion barrels might also lie beneath the ice.

Shipping lanes and trade are also an increasingly important topic among Arctic experts. The Arctic Council, the official circumpolar body composed of the five Arctic states plus Iceland, Sweden and Finland, wrote in 2003 that “a circumpolar sea route encompassing both the Northwest Passage and the Northeast Sea Route is finally in prospect as a consequence of global warming.”

“If realized, the opening of the Arctic Sea routes could transform the maritime transportation system of the world,” the forum said.

Wade said that opening a northern route through the Arctic’s waterways is attractive for both distance and security reasons. Sea trade between Europe and Asia via the north-east sea route across the top of Russia is almost 1,000 miles shorter than via the Suez Canal in Egypt.

However, no country has clear legal authority over maritime transport traffic and security in the Arctic. As the opportunities continue to grow, difficult legal and environmental problems loom. Most of the Arctic states say that there should be a right of uninterrupted passage across the ocean. Arctic Nations Heighten Military Presence As Row Continues Over Sea Lanes, Oil Reserves, January 16, 2008 4:45 p.m. EST, Jupiter Kalambakal – *** News Writer

Pakistan’s interest in Antarctica is purely scientific. Pakistan is keenly interested in Antarctic research and its research activities that is in confirmaty with the SCAR programme. Pakistan has acquired the associate membership of the SCAR and is pursuing and active Antarctic Research programme and successful accomplishment on a part of Pakistan Antarctic Research programme. Pakistan has gained experience, capability and basic logistics by launching of two expeditions. The achievements have strengthened Pakistan capabilities for conducting research in the harsh Antarctic environment useful environmental and Oceanographic data has been collected from the Antarctic region.. Russia is one of the most active members on Antartica.

20/08/2007 18:31 ST. PETERSBURG, August 20 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s new drifting research station in the Arctic will begin working in late September, the press spokesman of the Artic and Antarctic Research Institute said Monday.

The NorthPole 35 station being set up with the help of the Akademik Fedorov research vessel and the nuclear icebreaker Rossiya, which brought mini-submarines to the pole for the first ever dive to the seabed earlier in August, will conduct research in the area for one year and replace the previous station.

Sergei Balyasnikov said about 20 Russian and German scientists will conduct geological and ornithological research on an ice floe in the East Siberian Sea located between the Arctic Cape in the north and Siberia’s coast in the south.

In early August, Russian researchers descended 4,200 meters (14,000 feet) below the Pole in two submersibles to gather scientific evidence to bolster the country’s claim to a vast swathe of extra Arctic territory and planted a titanium Russian flag on the seafloor. The mission attracted criticism from rival Arctic nations.

Under international law, the five Arctic Circle countries – the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Norway and Russia – each have a 322-kilometer (200-mile) economic zone in the Arctic Ocean at the moment. Russia’s new research station in Arctic to open in late Sept.

The Antarctic Treaty

The 12 nations listed in the preamble (below) signed the Antarctic Treaty on 1 December 1959 at Washington, D.C. The Treaty entered into force on 23 June 1961; the 12 signatories became the original 12 consultative nations.

As of May 2000, 16 additional nations (Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and Uruguay) have achieved consultative status by acceding to the Treaty and by conducting substantial scientific research in Antarctica. Russia carries forward the signatory privileges and responsibilities established by the former Soviet Union.

Another 18 nations have acceded to the Antarctic Treaty: Austria, Belarus, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Slovak Republic, Switzerland, Turkey, and Venezuela. These nations agree to abide by the treaty and may attend consultative meetings as observers.

The 46 Antarctic Treaty nations represent about two-thirds of the world’s human population. Consultative meetings have been held approximately every other year since the treaty entered into force, but since 1993 they have been held more frequently. Each meeting has generated recommendations regarding operation of the treaty that, when ratified by the participating governments, become binding on the parties to the treaty. Additional meetings within the Antarctic Treaty system have produced agreements on conservation of seals, conservation of living resources, and comprehensive environmental protection. For detailed information about the Treaty System, please visit the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat web site at http://www.ats.aq/.

Map of Pakistani ocean
The Mohammad Ali Jinnah Station represents Pakistan on the frontiers of the world. The Crescent and Star flies high on the icebergs. Pakistanis need to see the pictures, and go through the videos. The NOI has to be revamped so that it can handle the challenges of the new century.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was adopted in 1982 and came into force on 16 November 1994. Pakistan ratified the Convention on 26 February 1997. The Convention entered into force for Pakistan on 28 March 1997. Under the UNCLOS Pakistan has an Exclusive Economic Zone extending upto 200 nautical miles and covering an area of 240,000 sq km. Under the same UNCLOS there is a provision that if the coastal State could prove that its land mass is extended beyond the 200 nautical miles then it could extend its maritime limits beyond 200 nautical miles. Therefore, recognizing this and taking opportunity of UNCLOS Article 76, NIO has been endeavouring to address and pursue this extremely important issue of national interest, to have Pakistan’s Continental Shelf extended from 200 to 350 nautical miles. It is estimated that an area of more than 50,000 sq km of the extended continental shelf can be annexed to our existing 240,000 sq km offshore area of EEZ.

 

[Kambojaric]

Interesting, was researching Anatarctica and apparently it has already been divided amongst countreis.

Australian Antarctic Territory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
British Antarctic Territory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Argentine Antarctica - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Queen Maud Land - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Seems like the Pakistani research center falls in "Queen Maud Land" i.e. Norwegian Antarctica. No idea how these claims on territory work and whether these are accepted by the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_claims_in_Antarctica

Theres still territory in the South West not claimed by anyone. How about claiming it in the name of Pakistan!

 

[U-571]

yes many countries claim the land of antarctica, but i dont think anybody will eventually get antarctica land

according to the laws, if ever antarctica resource exploration is possible in future through the treaties, then the countries who explored the portion of the resource will get it, so if pakistan explores the certain resource on certain part of antarctica, pakistan will get its right to dig it up and use it..

 

[JonAsad]

nice- sm thing new to be told-

 

[.]

Where are the pictures of stations?????

 

[Fabricio Tavares]

I would like to see them, too.