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The maritime affairs ministry on Monday approved its first-ever ferry service licence to an international ferry operator, authorising the company to operate routes connecting Pakistan with Iran and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.<\/p>\n
Last month, the ministry announced<\/a> an ambitious plan to expand Gwadar Port\u2019s operational capacity by introducing additional shipp\u00ading lines and launching a ferry service connecting Pak\u00adistan with GCC countries.<\/p>\n The approval followed a high-level meeting of the licensing committee, comprising officials from maritime affairs, defence, foreign affairs, and interior ministries, along with representatives from the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation as well as port and shipping authorities.<\/p>\n According to a statement issued by the ministry, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry hailed the move as a historic step aligned with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif\u2019s vision and Pakistan\u2019s National Maritime Policy.<\/p>\n \u201cThis licence creates the opportunity for boosting regional connectivity, religious tourism, and economic activity via sea routes,\u201d he emphasised.<\/p>\n The new ferry service is expected to serve hundreds of thousands annually, particularly pilgrims travelling to Iran and Iraq, alongside workers and tourists bound for GCC states.<\/p>\n \u201cThe ferry service will alleviate pressure on land routes and reduce travel costs compared to air transport for the Pakistani diaspora and religious travellers,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n \u201cInitial operations will commence from the ports of Karachi and Gwadar using modern ferry vessels equipped with essential amenities to ensure safe, affordable travel. Expansion of routes and port calls is planned based on demand and bilateral agreements,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cThis ferry service launch forms part of Pakistan\u2019s broader strategy to develop its blue economy, improve trade logistics, and promote maritime tourism, reflecting a renewed commitment to sustainable regional sea transport infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n Last week, amid a deadlock in negotiations over the government\u2019s decision to ban land travel<\/a> to Iran for pilgrims during Arbaeen \u2014 the chehlum of Imam Husain \u2014 the Maritime Mini\u00adstry was deliberating<\/a> to launch a ferry service to facilitate travel of zaireen<\/em> (pilgrims) to Iran and Iraq.<\/p>\n