950807

Indo-Pak shipping protocol

Deletion of clause 5

under govt's review

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Federal Government is actively considering whether it would be worthwhile to agree to the proposal for deletion of clause No. 5 in the protocol on the resumption of shipping services between Pakistan and India.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sought the views of Communications, Commerce and Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, minitries on the subject on immediate basis following the recommendation received from the National Shipowners Association (NSA).

NSA President Masood T. Baghpatee in a communication to the Minister for Foreign Affairs sent on July 17 had recommended that the said clause be deleted from the protocol agreement signed between the Governments of Pakistan and India on January 15, 1975 to enale both countries shipowners to promote shipping in the area on mutual and on the principle of equality basis.

Clause No. 5 reads as under: "Vessels of either country will load in the ports of one country only such cargo as is destined for the other country."

Pakistan Shippers Council of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry will also be sending its comments to the Ministry of Commerce shortly on the subject.

The protocol which was signed in New Delhi contains 23 clauses.

According to NSA due to clause 5 both countries are suffering huge losses as they are unable to load cargo for their vessels from India/Pakistan to third country, and all this trade is picked up by foreign flag vessels.

Direct shipping services between Pakistan and India were restored in fulfilment of the provisions of the Simla Agreement of 1972 to progressively restore and normalize relations between the two countries, and further the protocol on resumption of trade between Pakistan and India signed at New Delhi on November 30, 1974.