Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhary, has emphasized the urgent need to operationalize Pakistan’s first ferry service, positioning it as a much-needed step to improve religious travel options and boost regional maritime connectivity. Speaking during a recent briefing held in Islamabad with Shipping and Ports Director General Alia Shahid, the minister outlined a clear strategy to push this project forward without unnecessary delay.
The new ferry service is expected to offer a viable solution for Zaireen, especially amid ongoing restrictions on land travel to Iran during Arbaeen. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs is preparing to finalize a roadmap for the service in the coming weeks. Junaid Chaudhary called for immediate reforms to the licensing process and financial structures to make the project investor-friendly and accessible for passengers.
To remove bureaucratic delays, the minister ordered that ferry licenses be issued through a fully digital process, integrated with the Pakistan Single Window system, similar to how ships are currently registered. He made it clear that the existing six-month period to issue a license is unacceptably long and should be reduced to just one month.
“There’s no justification for a half-year delay,” he stated. “We must eliminate red tape and act decisively.”
Minister advocates fast launch of Pakistan ferry service for pilgrims has become a central theme in his reform agenda, particularly as the government seeks to support religious travelers with more reliable and affordable transport options. According to Junaid Chaudhary, up to one million Pakistani pilgrims travel to Iran and Iraq each year. If only 20 percent choose ferry travel in the first three years, that would mean between 140,000 and 200,000 passengers annually, creating considerable economic and logistical potential.
“Beyond tourism and business, this service can greatly facilitate religious travel. We can offer pilgrims a new, secure, and cost efficient option for their journeys,” Junaid Chaudhary noted.
Consultations with stakeholders including private ferry operators and regional maritime authorities are already in progress. Alongside this, feasibility studies and regulatory frameworks are nearing completion. A pilot phase is expected to be launched soon, once the final details are confirmed.
“If implemented effectively, this service could become a vital new transport link across the region,” Junaid Chaudhary concluded. “We will unveil a detailed roadmap for rollout within the next few weeks.”
To encourage private investment, the Ministry is also examining different financial support mechanisms. Junaid Chaudhary stressed the importance of evaluating models such as bank guarantees, insurance guarantees, or a combination of both to make entry into the market easier for entrepreneurs.
“We must assess whether a bank guarantee, insurance guarantee, or a hybrid model is most viable,” he said. “Our aim is to support, not hinder, entrepreneurs who wish to invest in this sector.”
Minister advocates fast launch of Pakistan ferry service for pilgrims remains the driving message behind this initiative, reflecting a strong commitment to building a more accessible and cost effective mode of travel for Pakistani citizens, especially those heading on spiritual journeys.
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