Pakistan, Aug. 7 -- In a major development to boost religious tourism and trade, Pakistan and Iraq have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to start a ferry service between Gwadar Port and Iraq's Umm Qasr Port. The agreement was signed during a meeting between Pakistan's Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and a three-member Iraqi delegation led by Deputy Head of Mission, Abdul Qadir Suleiman Al-Humaeri.

This ferry service will especially benefit Pakistani pilgrims who travel to Iraq for religious events, including Arbaeen-the annual pilgrimage marking the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA). With recent restrictions on land travel through Iran, this new sea route is expected to bec...