Pakistan, Aug. 5 -- Pakistan has granted its first-ever ferry service license to an international operator, Sea Keepers, for routes connecting Pakistan with Iran and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the Pakistani maritime affairs ministry said on Monday.

The approval followed a high-level meeting of the licensing committee, comprising officials from maritime affairs, defense, foreign affairs and interior ministries, along with representatives from the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) and Ports and Shipping authorities.

The new ferry service is expected to serve hundreds of thousands annually, including workers and tourists bound for GCC states as well as pilgrims traveling to Iran and Iraq, alleviate pressure on la...