ISLAMABAD   -   Pakistan and Iraq Thursday 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. 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.