Daily Times

KARACHI: The proposed ferry link between Karachi and Gwadar is facing further delays due to the lax attitude of the concerned federal and provincial authorities.

In February 2016, the Ministry of Ports and Shipping had announced that a ferry service would be launched between Karachi and Gwadar in March 2016. The aim of the service is to enhance and facilitate the cargo and passenger traffic between the two port cities. The proposed service also includes trips for tourists. However, even after nine months over the due date, the ferry service still has not been launched, much to the disappointment of citizens of the two cities.

It was claimed by authorities that the ferry service would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and that the PM had himself issued instructions for making arrangements in this regard. The government had felt the need to initiate this service in order to facilitate more than 400 general commuters, tourists, security officials and workers. The ferry will reach Gwadar from Karachi in 13 hours and would include healthcare, food and other basic facilities. Moreover, the government would bear an annual subsidy of around Rs 44 million on the fare.

However, to the disappointment of citizens of the port cities, this ferry service is yet to be launched. The current situation is evident of the poor planning, management and execution on part of the concerned authorities, especially the Ministry of Ports and Shipping. Considering that Gwadar port is meant to be the future of Pakistan, the government should pay heed to facilities like these as in the coming years, traffic to and from Gwadar would drastically increase. In order not to face issues like these, the government should make efforts to launch such transport projects as soon as possible.