TEHRAN (Dispatches) - Iran and Pakistan are planning to launch ferry service between their Chabahar and Karachi ports which will not only promote people-to-people contact, but also boost tourism and generate economic activity in the region, Road and Urban Development Minister Abbas Akhoundi announced.
Akhoundi said that the issue has been discussed during a recent visit of high-ranking Iranian delegation to Pakistan.
"Iran and Pakistan are two neighboring states which enjoy strong brotherly ties, but despite the fact that large number of Pakistanis travel to Iran for religious and commercial purposes, there is no ferry service available between the two countries and the people have to use road and air links for the travel which is quite expensive," the Iranian minister added.
Karachi-Chabahar ferry service is the top priority of the Pakistani government because it is economically more viable. More than 200,000 Pakistani pilgrims visited Iran last year and the ferry service would provide them better and fast traveling facility.
The national flag carrier, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), is busy in finalizing the project and its arrangements, including acquisition of ferries.
The ferry service would prove to be a major step to enhance people-to-people contact and generate economic activities in the region. Iran and Pakistan share same culture, religion, values and they have so many other things in common which no other two countries of the world have.