Pakistan is launching its first-ever ferry Service from Karachi port and Gawadar port to neighboring Iran, UAE, and others.
A ferry is a Big Ship that carries carry passengers and cargo across oceans and seas. Pakistan does not have any public ferry service. Many ferry services operators are operating in other neighboring countries like Iran, UAE, and Bangladesh. Therefore Federal cabinet has approved to launch a ferry service.
Pakistani Zaireen visiting holy places in Iraq and Iran often feel the need for this ferry service. So this service will not only help in trade but also give another option to travel to Pakistani Zaireen.
This route will also give an alternative route between Pakistan’s two biggest ports, i.e., Gawadar and Karachi. This will also have a very positive impact on connectivity.
According to sources, the summary of launching this merry time service was forwarded by the ministry of ferry time in 2017, but the ministry of defense gave some observations. Therefore the government returned this summary with the observations. The ministry of defense recommended opening this service in three phases.
According to the proposal, in the first phase, ferry time services will be launched to Muscat only and UAE and Abu Dhabi in the second phase, respectively. The service to Iran and Iraq should be started in the third phase.
Merry time ministry resubmitted the summary with slight changes, including some change in routes and involvement of the private sector. They proposed to link Karachi and Gawadar with Iran, Iraq, Oman, and Uae separately or together.
Merry time terminals will be built on Karachi and Gawadar ports. All facilities of security, custom, and other facilities would be available on all merry time terminals.
