Daily Times

KARACHI: The proposed ferry link between Karachi and Gwadar has been further delayed due to the non-serious attitude of the federal and concerned provincial governments. In February 2016, the Ministry of Ports and Shipping had announced start a ferry service between Karachi and Gwadar from March 2016 in an effort to facilitate both cargo and passenger traffic including trips for tourists. However, till now the ferry service is yet to start to the dismay of Pakistanis.

It was claimed that the first-ever ferry service from the country’s industrial hub to the newly developed port city will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and he himself had issued instructions for making arrangements in this regard. The government felt the need of the service in order to facilitate general commuters and tourists as well as security officials and civilians who were working in Gwadar and asked the ports and shipping authorities to start the facility immediately.

In addition to the cargo, the vessel would have the capacity to accommodate more than 400 passengers. It was claimed that the ferry would carry tourists, officials and general passengers between Karachi and Gwadar and will be faster than land transport. This step will largely address the trouble faced by people travelling between the two cities.

The ferry will take almost 13 hours to reach Gwadar from Karachi and offer healthcare services, a high-standard cafeteria and other basic facilities. It will run three days a week as well as on weekends. It was said that the service is aimed at facilitating the passengers that commute between the two port cities and the government will bear an annual subsidy of around Rs44 million on the fare.

With the departure of the ship from Karachi Port, maritime security personnel would provide foolproof security throughout the journey. However, to the dismay of Pakistanis, and particularly the citizens of Karachi and Gwadar, this ferry service is yet to be started. Gwadar is the future of Pakistan and its better links by road and ferry to the other cities, particularly Karachi, are crucial.

The federal government and its Ministry of Ports and Shipping as well as all other concerned agencies should look at why this futurist plan of the ferry service between Karachi and Gwadar is put on the backburner. They should resolve issues and remove hurdles including security concerns to start this badly needed service at the earliest.