KEY POINTS
- Ferry service to operate routes from Pakistan to Iran and GCC countries
- Karachi and Gwadar ports to serve as launch hubs, connecting pilgrims, workers, and tourists via modern ferry vessels
- Ferry service aims to reduce travel costs and land route pressure
ISLAMABAD: In a landmark move set to reshape regional travel and maritime connectivity, Pakistan’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs has granted its first-ever international ferry service license, greenlighting sea routes from Pakistan to Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries.
The license was approved following a high-level meeting of the Licensing Committee, which brought together key players from the ministries of Maritime Affairs, Defence, Foreign Affairs, and Interior, alongside the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation and port authorities, according to a statement from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, hailed the decision as a “historic milestone” aligned with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s maritime vision and the country’s National Maritime Policy.
“This initiative opens a sea bridge between Pakistan and the Gulf, promising a new era of economic vibrancy, religious tourism, and cross-border connectivity,” he remarked.
Set to launch from the ports of Karachi and Gwadar, the ferry service is expected to cater to hundreds of thousands annually—particularly pilgrims journeying to Iran and Iraq, expatriate workers, and tourists heading to GCC states.
Equipped with modern amenities, the ferries promise a safe and cost-effective alternative to air and overland travel, easing burdens on land routes and making travel more accessible to the wider population.
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“This is not just a ferry service,” the minister emphasised, “it’s the beginning of a maritime corridor of opportunity.”
Chaudhry also shed light on the far-reaching implications of the ferry service, especially for religious pilgrims.
“Each year, nearly 700,000 to a million Pakistani Zaireen make spiritual journeys to Iran and Iraq,” he noted.
“Now imagine, if just 20% choose the sea route in the first three years, that’s 140,000 to 200,000 souls crossing the waves annually. Beyond convenience, that shift carries immense economic ripple effects,” he concluded, underscoring the quiet power of pilgrim footsteps turned into ferry footprints.
Earlier on July 4, 2025, Pakistan unveiled a comprehensive plan to enhance travel arrangements for pilgrims journeying to Iran and Iraq, marking a significant step toward safer, more organized religious travel.
The initiative was announced during a high-level meeting of the Special Task Force on Pilgrims’ Issues, chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who emphasized the government’s commitment to shielding pilgrims from logistical challenges and potential exploitation.
Among the key reforms introduced was the replacement of the traditional Salar system with a new Group Organiser System, effective from January 1, 2026—mandating that pilgrims travel only through registered organisers to ensure security, accountability, and coordination.
The Civil Aviation Authority pledged 107 special flights to Iraq for Arbaeen, while weekly flights to Iran were increased from 6 to 15.
