Pakistan is giving final touches to its plans to launch Karachi-Chabahar and Gwadar-Muscat ferry services to promote people-to-people contact.
Sources in the Ports and Shipping Ministry told The Nation that modalities including clearance from relevant departments were being worked out for launching Karachi-Chabahar ferry service.
The national flag carrier, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) is also busy finalising its arrangements including acquisition of ferries.
“Karachi-Chabahar ferry service is being given priority because it is economically more viable. More than 200,000 Pakistani zaire’en (religious pilgrims), visit Iran each year,” sources said.
A high-ranking Iranian delegation headed by Minister for Transport Abbas Akhundi has just concluded visit to Pakistan and is believed to have approved the ferry service plan.
