ISLAMABAD: Vowing to increase trade relations through land, sea and air between Pakistan and Iran, the Minister for Ports and Shipping Hasil Bizenjo announced the launch of a ferry service between Karachi and the Iranian port city of Chabahar.

“While Iran is fully prepared to launch the service, Pakistan will launch the service after clearance from a few departments,” said Bizenjo at a press briefing on Thursday.

Iran’s Road and Urban Develop­ment Minister Abbas Akhundi is heading a high-ranking delegation of 22 members from both public and private sectors on a three-day official visit for talks with four Pakistani ministers.

Talking to the press, the Iranian minister said, “If one of the two countries lagged behind, security in the region would be compromised. The idea of visiting Pakistan along with such a large delegation is to enhance ties further through land, sea and air. More than 200,000 Pakistanis now visit Iran every year. There is significant potential to increase these numbers.”

Besides welcoming the ferry between Karachi and Chab­ahar, Akhundi hoped that the service would be extended between Gawadar, Khorramshahr and other port cities.

“Iran is also willing to assist Pakistan with transit trade between Gawadar and Central Asia and hopes that points of contacts between the two countries will be increased,” he continued. He also wished that the rail track between Gawadar and Chabahar will be restored and the service between Zahedan and Quetta can be improved.

“It is also important to increase air travel between Zahedan and Quetta and other cities like Lahore and Karachi,” he added.

Responding to a question, Bizenjo said that Pakistan is looking at incorporating and linking development projects with Iran in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2018