Pak opens door for Indian ships to enter

NEW DELHI: Indian ships will now be allowed to go into Pakistan, enabling direct movement of goods from Pakistan to India. The two countries have signed a new shipping protocol bringing to an end the 31-year protocol, which allowed goods to be ferried by India only through third-country ships.

The two countries are also discussing a comprehensive visa agreement, which will also take into account business visas. Both have decided to open two bank branches in each country and facilitate cement exports from Pakistan and tea imports from India.

The decisions have been taken as part of the composite dialogue held between the two countries. Addressing a business session organised by Ficci, Pakistan commerce secretary Asif Shah said the new shipping protocol was already in place and there were no legal issues restricting Indian ships from going into Pakistan.

“I don’t know if there are any technical issues left to be sorted out. But legally, Indian ships are now allowed to enter ports in Pakistan,” he said.

The commerce secretary revealed that the two countries were in the process of discussing a visa regime and a comprehensive visa agreement was on the anvil, which would include business visas. “It takes two to tango. If India agrees to the proposals made by Pakistan, there will be a sea change in the visa regime,” he said.

On export of cement to India, Mr Shah said discussions on the required certification process had proved to be fruitful and the first tranche of cement was likely to be exported by August end.