Pakistan and Iraq have agreed to start a ferry service between Basra and Karachi to facilitate Pakistani zaireen visiting Iraq.                  

The agreement was reached during a meeting between Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Iraqi Ambassador Hamid Abbas Lafta in Islamabad on Thursday.

They discussed increase in visa quota and other facilities for Pakistani pilgrims. Discussing the finalization of 'Pakistan-Iraq Pilgrim Agreement', they agreed to sign it this year.

They also agreed to allocate visa quota for Pakistani pilgrims going to Iraq.

Speaking on the occasion, the Interior Minister thanked the Iraqi government for issuing visas to 60,000 Pakistani pilgrims for Arbaeen Hazrat Imam Hussain.

Emphasizing on early signing of pilgrim agreement, the Interior Minister said millions of pilgrims visit Karbala, Baghdad and Najaf every year and this agreement will provide the best facilities to them.

The Iraqi Ambassador said Pakistan and Iraq have historic, fraternal and long-standing ties.

He said the agreement will expand and strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries and will provide the best visa facilities for Pakistani visitors.