Print Print edition: 2017-12-01

Ferry service to Muscat, Iran in the offing

Published December 1, 2017 Updated December 1, 2017 12:00am

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs was informed on Thursday that a ferry service to Iran and Muscat could help generate billions of rupees revenue for the country. The meeting of the committee was held here in the chair of MNA Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah in the Parliament House. Minister for Maritime Affairs Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo informed the committee members if a ferry service was started to Iran and Muscat, a large number of pilgrims could also benefit from it, besides generation of revenue for the country.
He said "certain quarters" had expressed their reservations over the proposal but the ministry had decided to place the issue before the Cabinet for approval. About acquisition of second-hand vessels, the committee directed chairman Pakistan National Shipping Corporation not to compromise on quality of the shipping vessels. The committee's chairman said it must be ensured that substandard vessels were not bought just to save money.
As regards the new shipping laws which include Bill to Enact Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 2017 and Bill to Enact Sea Carriage Shipping Documents Act, 2017, the committee was informed that inter-ministerial consultation had been done and soon it would be presented before the Cabinet for approval. The committee lauded the efforts of the ministry to make comprehensive laws in accordance with the demands of present circumstances.