Daily Times

Ministry of Maritime Affairs organized a workshop on Wednesday in order to refurbish the draft of ‘Pakistan Shipping Policy 2024’ as per the directions of Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh. The aim of this workshop was to refine the draft before being presented in the cabinet. This policy will replace Pakistan Merchant Marine Policy 2001 and its amended version of 2019. Secretary Maritime Affairs Syed Zafar Ali Shah, chairperson of port authorities, senior officials of ministry of maritime affairs and stakeholders from private sector participated in this workshop. The secretary of Maritime Affairs while giving the opening remarks said that the Shipping Policy 2024 had been drafted in accordance with the standards and rules of the International Maritime Organization. Later, the Deputy Secretary presented the important points of draft before the participants. All the participants thoroughly reviewed the policy and expressed satisfaction with almost most of its proposals in the plenary session. The most important point of the policy would be to make it possible by legislation to furnish a bond of adequate amount to the owners of any registered ship if it is detained or seized for any reason within the territorial jurisdiction of Pakistan, and it should be within 24 hours after taking surety bond.