The Pakistan-Iraq ferry service marks a new chapter in ties, as both nations signed an MoU on August 7, 2025, to connect Gwadar and Umm Qasr ports. This initiative, formalized during a meeting between Pakistan’s Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Iraq’s Deputy Head of Mission Abdulqadir Sulyman Alhimiri, promises to ease the journey for nearly one million Pakistani pilgrims heading to Najaf and Karbala for Arbaeen. For families like those of pilgrim Ahmed Raza, who shared on social media his relief at safer travel options, the ferry offers hope amid recent land route bans through Iran.
Service: A Part of Bilateral Trade
The service also aims to strengthen trade, with Pakistan eyeing increased exports of rice, medicines, and meat to Iraq, while importing more Iraqi oil. In 2024, Pakistan exported $54.29 million worth of goods to Iraq, while imports, mainly petroleum, reached $145.46 million. Minister Chaudhry called the ferry a “vital corridor” for economic growth, aligning with Pakistan’s blue economy strategy. Iraqi officials echoed this optimism, seeing the maritime link as a bridge for cultural and economic ties.
Agreement of Pakistan-Iraq Ferry Service
The agreement follows Pakistan’s first ferry license to UK-based Sea Keepers, signaling broader plans for routes to Iran and GCC countries. With modern vessels equipped for safe travel, the service could transform regional connectivity. Pilgrims and traders alike await its launch, hopeful for smoother journeys and stronger bonds.
As Pakistan and Iraq chart this new course, the Pakistan-Iraq ferry service carries dreams of unity and prosperity.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 7th, 2025
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