ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have agreed to explore the launch of a regular ferry service between the two countries, a move expected to transform cross-border travel, boost bilateral trade, and provide a cost-effective route for thousands of Pakistani pilgrims visiting Iran and Iraq each year.
The proposal was discussed during a high-level meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Iran’s Minister for Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh, where both sides exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in the maritime and transport sectors under the broader framework of the blue economy.
Minister Junaid Chaudhry said the ferry link would mark a new chapter in Pakistan–Iran relations, creating an affordable and efficient travel corridor across the Arabian Sea. “Such a service would not only enhance bilateral trade but also offer a cost-effective travel option for pilgrims visiting Iran and Iraq,” he said.
He noted that in 2025 alone, around 60,000 to 70,000 Pakistani pilgrims travelled by air to attend Arbaeen in Iraq, a number that could multiply several times once sea routes are made available.
The minister said Pakistan would encourage private investment in the ferry operation, welcoming Iranian entrepreneurs or companies to run the service. “With Iran’s comparatively lower fuel prices, the fares can remain affordable, making it accessible for ordinary citizens,” he added.
Cheaper, easier connectivity:
Ferry services, common across Europe, the Gulf, and Southeast Asia play a vital role in reducing travel costs, easing pressure on air and road routes, and promoting regional tourism. Experts say such a maritime link between Pakistan’s Gwadar or Karachi ports and Iran’s Bandar Abbas or Chabahar could serve both passenger and light cargo traffic, benefiting traders, pilgrims, and coastal communities alike.
Minister Junaid Chaudhry also briefed his Iranian counterpart about Pakistan’s upcoming Centralized Pilgrim Management Policy, under which all pilgrims will be required to travel through registered tour operators to ensure safety, coordination, and better logistical handling.
“Iran can gain significant financial benefits from the growing flow of Pakistani pilgrims,” he said, emphasizing infrastructural collaboration to expand religious tourism and improve border facilities.
Iran welcomes Pakistan’s proposals:
Iranian Minister Farzaneh Sadegh welcomed the proposal, terming the ferry service a step toward unlocking the economic potential of both countries’ ports. “The ports of both countries are the financial strength of our economies,” she said. “By improving maritime and transport connectivity, we can open new horizons for regional trade and economic prosperity.”
The Iranian side expressed interest in working closely on port-to-port cooperation, railway connectivity, and logistics development to strengthen regional trade routes spanning the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Central Asia.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the blue economy agenda, enhancing trade facilitation, and leveraging their geographic proximity to strengthen economic integration between South and West Asia.
