Islamabad – August 7, 2025:
Pakistan and Iraq have taken a significant step toward enhancing their maritime connectivity, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a ferry service between Umm Qasr Port in Iraq and Pakistan’s Gwadar Port.
The development came during a meeting in Islamabad between Pakistan’s Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and a visiting three-member delegation from the Iraqi Embassy, led by Deputy Head of Mission Abdulqadir Sulyman Alhimiri.
The agreement aims not only to improve transport links between the two countries but also to deepen cultural, religious, and economic ties. “This ferry connection is more than just a trade route it’s a bridge between two nations with shared values, history, and religious bonds,” Minister Chaudhry remarked during the meeting.
The new initiative is particularly timely, given the rising number of Pakistani pilgrims traveling to Iraq. Last year alone, over 88,000 Pakistani pilgrims visited Iraq for Ashura, a trend both countries hope to build upon by offering a regular, sea-based travel alternative for religious and commercial purposes.
The Minister also shared Pakistan’s broader vision of regional maritime integration. Plans are already underway to establish ferry routes connecting Pakistan with Iran and countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The proposed route with Iraq would complement these plans, contributing to a more robust maritime network in the region.
In terms of trade, Chaudhry emphasized the need to diversify and deepen economic cooperation. He proposed expanding Pakistan’s exports to Iraq particularly in sectors like pharmaceuticals, halal meat, and rice while also seeking to boost Iraqi oil imports into Pakistan. “There’s strong potential to raise bilateral trade volumes beyond their current levels,” he said.
A key highlight of the discussion was Pakistan’s growing focus on the blue economy. The Minister noted that increasing port activities and developing new supply chain corridors align with Pakistan’s national maritime strategy. He also offered Pakistan’s capacity to meet Iraq’s demand for Potassium Sulphate, pointing to a manufacturing plant located within the Gwadar Free Zone.
Pakistan also sought Iraq’s diplomatic support ahead of its upcoming bid for membership in the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Deputy Head of Mission Alhimiri assured Pakistan of Baghdad’s full backing, stating that Iraq sees the maritime sector as a vital area for future bilateral collaboration.
“The sea can connect our economies, cultures, and people in ways air and land routes simply cannot,” Alhimiri said, endorsing the idea of expanding maritime cooperation on multiple fronts.
This new chapter in Pakistan-Iraq relations signals not just the launch of a ferry service, but a broader commitment to mutual growth and regional integration.
