ISLAMABAD: Iraq’s Consul General Maher Mjhid Jejan has proposed a sea link between Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi and Basra in a bid to improve logistics and strengthen trade routes, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) said on Wednesday.
Relations between Pakistan and Iraq have received a boost with a number of ministerial-level exchanges in recent years. The two countries have held discussions on enhancing defense and law enforcement cooperation, focusing on counterterrorism, counternarcotics and intelligence-sharing. Pakistan has attempted to strengthen trade, investment and cooperation in priority sectors with regional allies in recent months as it attempts to attract international investment to achieve sustainable economic growth.
Jejan visited the KCCI’s office on Wednesday during which he met the organization’s leadership. Talks between the two sides focused on strengthening business relations between and encouraging investment.
“He also proposed that a sea link between Basra and Karachi could play a key role in bringing the business communities of both countries closer together,” the KCCI said in a statement. “This connection could improve logistics and strengthen trade routes.”
Jejan said Iraq has introduced new investment laws designed to attract foreign investors, adding that these laws will be shared with the KCCI to help Pakistani businesses understand the opportunities available.
“He recognized the high quality of Pakistani products and expressed hope that Pakistani exporters and investors will explore the Iraqi market more actively,” the statement said.
The Iraqi consul general said his country is witnessing rapid development and offers immense potential for trade and investment. He encouraged Pakistani businessmen to visit Iraq and see first-hand the “peaceful and stable environment” in the country.
KCCI Senior Vice President Zia ul Arfeen told Jejan that Pakistan’s exports to Iraq stood at $54.29 million in FY24 while its imports from Iraq amounted to $145.46 million.
“He said that this trade volume is far below the actual potential and emphasized the need for both countries to simplify customs procedures, promote ease of doing business, and expand the range of tradable goods and services,” the KCCI said.
Arfeen said establishing an oil pipeline between Basra and Pakistan’s southwestern coastal city of Gwadar could create an important trade corridor for Iraq to access other Asian markets.
Iraq proposes sea link between Karachi and Basra to strengthen trade routes
https://arab.news/5bhju
Iraq proposes sea link between Karachi and Basra to strengthen trade routes
- Iraqi Consul General Maher Mjhid Jejan visits Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s office to meet its leadership
- Jejan hoped Pakistani exporters, investors take advantage of Iraq’s opportunities, explore its market more actively, says KCCI
FIFA president says will visit Pakistan ‘soon,’ vows to promote football in country
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino describes Pakistan as a “great football country” on sidelines of World Economic Forum summit
ISLAMABAD: FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday he would visit Pakistan “soon,” vowing to promote the development of football in the South Asian country.
Infantino was speaking to Pakistan TV Digital on the sidelines of the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum summit in Davos.
“Well, I will come to Pakistan actually very soon,” Infantino said. “I promised the prime minister [Shehbaz Sharif]. Because we have now a new president of the [Pakistan Football] Federation who is doing a fantastic job.”
The FIFA official described Pakistan as a “great football country.”
“We need to bring Pakistan to the head, to the top of Asia for sure,” Infantino said. “Thank you, we are working on that.”
Pakistan’s relationship with FIFA has grown and evolved over the years. Last month, FIFA appointed Pakistani lawmaker Syeda Amnah Batool to its Institutional Reforms Committee.
FIFA Senior Vice President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa visited Pakistan in November 2025. During the three-day visit, he discussed the development of football infrastructure with Pakistani football executives and government officials.
Football has long been popular among Pakistan’s youth but in recent years participation has grown at the grassroots level amid rising interest in international leagues.
Local tournaments, school competitions, and community clubs across major cities have further fueled enthusiasm for the sport.
Like other sports, however, it continues to exist in the shadow of cricket. Since decades, cricket continues to remain the most popular and lucrative sport in Pakistan.
