ISLAMABAD – *Pakistan Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs hascalled for expediting the tourism-based ferry service between Iranian portcity of Chabahar and Pakistani city of Gwadar, local media reported.*
The Committee which met under its new chair, Senator Nuzhat Sadiqrecommended that the project should be started at the earliest.
Committee members observed that while the Iranian government had completedthe formalities to start the service, there had been unnecessary delays onthe part of the Pakistani government.
During the meeting, Senator Kauda Babar said that in addition to increasingtourism, the ferry service would also encourage and enhance trade betweenthe two countries.
“More than anything else, the ferry service would be a brilliant facilityfor pilgrims going to holy places in Iran and Iraq,” Senator Babar said.
The committee also recommended starting the ferry service from Karachi,stopping at Gwadar, Chababar in Iran and then heading to Iraq as well.
The committee was informed that although Ministry of Ports and Shipping wasready to launch the service, the department was waiting on securityclearance to do so.
Iranian delegation led by Minister of Road and Urban Development AbbasAkhundi had visited Pakistan earlier this year and agreed to launch theservice for tourists of both countries.
Iran and Pakistan are two neighboring states which enjoy strong brotherlyties, but despite the fact that large number of Pakistanis travel to Iranfor religious and commercial purposes, there is no ferry service availablebetween the two countries and the people have to use road and air links forthe travel which is quite expensive.
The ferry service would prove to be a major step to enhancepeople-to-people contact and generate economic activities in the region.