ISLAMABAD: In a bid to ensure sovereignty and security, the Government ofPakistan has approved to implement Pakistan Maritime Zones (PMZ) Act 2020under which prior permission is mandatory for foreign supertankers andnuclear-powered ships to enter into the territorial sea of Pakistan.
According to well-informed sources, the federal cabinet has given its goahead to implement the law which was earlier approved by the CabinetCommittee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) on October 21 this year.The CCLC approved the draft bill of PMZ Act 2020 with the stipulation thatsection 6(c) of the proposed Act would be redrafted in consultation withthe Law and Justice Division.
According to details, after the enforcement of PMZ Act 2020, foreignwarships including submarine and other underwater vehicles and foreignmilitary aircraft will not be allowed to enter or pass through theterritorial waters and the airspace over such waters without priorpermission of the federal government.
There will be a ban on loading and unloading of any person or currencywhile carrying out survey and research activities will not be allowed. Incase of violation, foreign ships will be seized while there will be a fiveyear imprisonment with heavy penalty in case the crime is proved.
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According to documents available with *Pakistan Today, *the passage offoreign ships will be considered innocent if it is not prejudicial to thepeace, good order or security of Pakistan.
