Pakistan's maritime area increases by 50,000 km after UN nod

Islamabad, May 7 (ANI): Pakistan has increased its maritime area to over 50,000 kilometres, the Daily Times reports.

Pakistan Science and Technology Minister Azam Khan Swati said following the UN Commission on the Limit of Continental Shelf's (UNCLCS) green signal, the country's maritime area has increased substantially, and this would help in providing a reliable database for future marine research.

"It will also provide a good basis for scientists and technicians to further promote and develop marine geological and geophysical research," Swati said.

The extension of the continental shelf would contribute directly to the petroleum and mineral sector and also to the offshore maritime industry, he added.

Pakistan had filed a claim with the UNCLCS to extend its continental shelf from 200 nautical miles to 350 nautical miles last month. (ANI)