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