The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked the Federal Board of Revenue not to let ships and vessels carrying Taiwan flags touch the Pakistani seaports, as the country does not recognise Taiwan as a separate state, but a part of China.
Sources told Business Recorder on Thursday that the ministry has issued policy guidelines on Taiwan, imposing restrictions on the official trade with Taiwan. Pakistani government departments are not allowed to have any official contacts with Taiwan. The FBR would deal with the taxation/business and trade related issues with Taiwan keeping in view the policy guidelines.
According to the ministry policy on Taiwan, communicated to the FBR, Pakistan does not recognise Taiwan as a separate state but as an integral part of the People's Republic of China. In view of Chinese sensitivity towards issues relating to Taiwan, proper handling of such matters is imperative for Pakistan.
Sources said that Pakistan does not have any diplomatic/consular relations with Taiwan. Similarly, no official contact, of any type, is maintained with Taiwan. Pakistan remains strongly opposed to any attempts by Taiwan to create "two Chinas" or "One China, One Taiwan" or "Taiwan Independence".
This commitment is reflected in Article III of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Good Neighbourly Relations between Pakistan and China signed in 2005. Sources said that these policy guidelines have been issued taking into account the friendly relations with China.
Sources said that Taiwan owned vessels are not allowed to enter Pakistan waters. Similarly, non-governmental Taiwan ships, not flying the Taiwan flag, can "touch our sea-ports". However, vessels flying Taiwan flag cannot enter Pakistan's seaports.
About the trade with Taiwan, the policy said that there are no restrictions on trade with Taiwan subject to the following conditions: Trade is conducted strictly on unofficial basis and through private sector only. However, no direct contacts are made with Taiwan on official level.
Both the Pakistani and Taiwan government functionaries can not visit each other's country. Therefore, government/official investment from Taiwan is not allowed into Pakistan.
Under the policy, no exchange of delegations is allowed between the two countries. Holding of trade exhibitions, establishment of display centres is also not allowed. No publicity is given to Pakistan's trade or commercial contacts with Taiwan. But, the private businessmen can, technically, interact with Taiwan parties.
Sources said that the business or transit visas can be issued to residents of Taiwan on a separate paper or Affidavit but not on Taiwan travel documents. The affidavits are devised by Ministry of Interior and Pakistan's Mission in Hong Kong is authorised to issue visas on these affidavits. No visa application from holder of official or diplomatic Taiwan travel documents can be entertained by the Pakistani authorities.
The ministry has cautioned that some residents of Taiwan may misuse the "Business or Transit Visa" to get involved in anti-China activities. To check this, a thorough scrutiny of the visa applications is necessary.
For notarisation of Taiwan related documents, Pakistan nationals should have their documents notarised in advance in Taiwan and then the Chinese embassy and consulates in Pakistan shall issue separate notarisation for them. As such consular attestation may not be necessary.
In case of sports, sources said that the sports contacts are allowed with Taiwan subject to the following conditions: The flag or emblem of Taiwan should not be displayed; sportsmen or team should not be referred to as representing Taiwan; Taiwan athletes during their stay in Pakistan should not engage in any activity aimed at splitting China; and sporting event could employ the "Olympic Mode" which allows representation under the name of "Chinese Taipei", use of Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee's anthem and use of Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee's flag or special flags of certain sports organisations.
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