Pakistan seabed territory grows by 50,000 square kilometres

islamabad : Pakistan ’ s ocean floor territory grew by about 50,000 square kilometres after a UN body accepted Islamabad ’ s claim for extension of sea limits. “ On 19 March 2015, United Nations ’ Commission on Limits of Continental Shelf ( UNCLCS ) completed its review and accepted Pakistan ’ s claim for extension of its continental shelf limits, thereby extending Pakistan ’ s ocean limits from 200 nautical miles to 350 nautical miles, ” Pakistan Navy ’ south media directorate said. Following the acceptance of the claim, Pakistan ’ s offshore territory of 240,000sqkm would expand by another 50,000sqkm allowing the nation to benefit from the natural resources contained in it.

The UN verdict will boost Pak efforts aimed at socioeconomic uplift of people, says Sartaj

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ( UNCLOS ) grants especial rights to the coastal states with regards to exploration and use of marine resources, including energy output in the sphere in its jurisdiction, which is besides described as exclusive economic zone.

besides read : Advancing sea poses threat to Karachi, Thatta, committee told Under the UNCLOS, coastal countries are allowed economic control of the waters and seabed up to 200nm from their shores. The international treaty allows countries to further claim an elongated continental ledge stretching up to 350nm from the baselines of its territorial ocean if they could prove that the claim area was a natural extension of their land territory. Pakistan welcomed the UN commission ’ second verdict, terming it a “ landmark accomplishment and a momentous event in the state ’ sulfur history ”. Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz in a statement said : “ It is of big gratification for us that Pakistan ’ s claim at the United Nations ’ Commission on Limits of Continental Shelf, for extension of out limits of its continental ledge, has been unanimously approved. ” This development, he said, would boost Pakistan ’ south efforts aimed at sustainable socioeconomic elate of the people of Pakistan.

article 76 ( 4 ) to ( 6 ) of the UNCLOS prescribes a complicate formula for claiming such an extension. The claimant state of matter has to present legal and scientific footing for its claim before a 21-member committee of experts. The evidence is accompanied by maps to prove that the claim continental ledge is extension of its district and fits the description given under Law of Sea Treaty of 1982. Pakistan had filed its font with the UNCLCS on April 30, 2009. The application was preceded by a four-year extensive analyze jointly conducted by the Pakistan Navy and National Institute of Oceanography under the backing of Ministry of Science and Technology. A seven-member sub-commission of the UNCLCS evaluated Pakistan ’ sulfur lawsuit for a year and accepted Pakistan ’ s claim. Some of the claim territory overlapped Omani claim. It is believed that the verdict in favor of Pakistan was announced after successful negotiations with Oman. Mr Aziz in his argument thanked the government of Oman.

“ We are grateful to the brotherly country of Oman for its sympathy and cooperation in the matter, ” the adviser said. Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2015 On a mobile phone ? Get the Dawn Mobile App : Apple Store | Google Play

source : https://mindovermetal.org/en
Category : Maritime