Chairman of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) Arif Elahi made the announcement while meeting with Economic Attaché at the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Karachi Hamidreza Nezaratizadeh.
The two sides discussed and exchanged views on bilateral cooperation in various fields especially collaboration in maritime transport sector.
Pakistan’s Elahi official noted that opening a sea passanger line between Pakistani port of Karachi and Iranian port of Chabahar will facilitate commute for the two nations especially as regards Pakistani pilgrims’ visits to Iran.
He said the sea passenger line could pave the path for large numbers Pakistani pilgrims to enjoy a safe and rather inexpensive travel to holy shrines in Iranian cities of Mashhad and Qom.
Nezaratizadeh of Iran, for his part, said friendly and brotherly ties with Pakistan held great significance for Iran and spares no efforts to develop cooperation in economic, trade and transport arenas.
Myriads of Pakistani people make visits to Iran annually for pilgrimage purposes to Iran's holy sites or go to Iraq via Iran to visit the holy shrines in the Iraqi cities.
The Iranian Embassy in Pakistan is trying to facilitate trips made by Pakistani people to Iran by launching direct flights between Tehran and Islamabad as well as flights between Mashhad and Lahore as well as Tehran and Karachi.
Meanwhile, given the long distances on land as well as limited number of direct flights between Iran and Pakistan, sea line between Karachi and Chabahar could offer excellent facilities to passengers of the two sides.
HA/IRN82376122
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