Pakistan and India are unlikely to revise the shipping protocol in the current month, designed to open up their ports for lifting third country's cargo, it is learnt. The South Asian neighbours were hoping to revise the protocol in second week of March for improving maritime relationships.
"We were looking forward to clinch a shipping protocol with India this month to revise nearly 30-year old agreement to enter into a bilateral maritime shipping agreement but unfortunately it will take more time," an official in the ministry of ports and shipping told Business Recorder on Saturday, adding the delay was on the part of Pakistan.
The authorities believe the agreement would help both the countries in softening restrictions and liberalising trade through sea route.
Requesting anonymity, the official said a Pakistan delegation was scheduled to leave for New Delhi next week to finalise all the modalities and ink a formal protocol in this connection.
However, it is learnt that the ministry has not completed the homework and was causing the delay. The 'security' of the ports is one of the major issues on which Pakistan government is deliberating upon.
Both the countries, under the new protocol, will cooperate with each other to develop a mutual relationship in the field of merchant shipping and related maritime activities.
At the moment, there are various restrictions on lifting of third country's cargo by the flag vessels of Pakistan and India from each other's ports.
The Indian maritime authorities during their talks with Pakistani counterparts last December had handed over a draft of maritime shipping agreement for consideration.
"We do hope that all issues will be resolved very soon. It is expected that as soon as all technicalities are settled we will go to New Delhi for final talks," the official added.
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