KARACHI: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo saidthat Pakistan intends to start Ferry Service to various neighboring andmiddle eastern countries.
He said that the draft Ferry Policy would be presented in the next FederalCabinet meeting for approval.
The minister said the draft policy has given a wide range of concessions,with a tax holiday up to 2040. Under the policy, there would be no duty andtaxes on ferry service as well as on purchase of a ship for introducing theservice in the country.
Initially, ferries will be launched from Karachi port to Iran, Dubai andOman and eventually the routes would be enhanced to facilitate people forgetting alternative sources of entertainment.
In order to promote and encourage this new service in the country, theMinistry for Maritime Affairs has also suggested that there be no portcharges for 4-5 years as well as allowing prospective investors to launchboth ferry and dining cruise services.
Mr Bizenjo said that during the Musharraf era, a ferry service wasintroduced which badly flopped because there were no rules and regulationsto run a completely new trade in the country.