ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have agreed to enhance cooperation in the blue economy by expanding maritime, road, and rail connectivity to strengthen regional trade and foster closer people-to-people relations.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Iran’s Minister for Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh. Both ministers emphasized the need for deeper collaboration to improve trade, investment, and transport links between the two neighboring countries.
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During the meeting, the two sides discussed plans to expand maritime trade, upgrade port infrastructure, and improve logistical routes connecting the two countries through sea, land, and rail networks. Mr. Chaudhry proposed launching a ferry service between Pakistan and Iran to facilitate pilgrims and traders, highlighting that Iran’s lower fuel prices could help make the service more affordable.
The minister noted that around 60,000 to 70,000 Pakistani pilgrims travel to Iran and Iraq annually by air, and the ferry service could provide a cheaper alternative while boosting religious tourism. He added that a centralised pilgrim management policy would be introduced next year to improve safety and coordination by ensuring all pilgrims travel through registered tour operators.
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Welcoming the proposal, Ms. Sadegh said both countries’ ports could serve as gateways for regional trade and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to promoting port-to-port cooperation in the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf. Both sides reiterated their resolve to deepen collaboration in the maritime and transport sectors as part of broader efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and promote sustainable blue economy development.
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