Islamabad, July 27, 2025: The federal government has barred Pakistani pilgrims from traveling by road to Iran and Iraq for the upcoming Arbaeen pilgrimage, citing serious security concerns.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the decision on Sunday, stating that the measure was taken in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balochistan government, and national security agencies.
“After extensive consultations, it has been decided that zaireen (pilgrims) will not be allowed to travel to Iraq and Iran by road for Arbaeen this year,” Naqvi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “It is a difficult but necessary decision in the interest of public and national security.”
The minister added that pilgrims would still be allowed to travel by air. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed the authorities to arrange maximum flights to facilitate the journey of pilgrims.
Naqvi issued the statement following a meeting with the prime minister earlier in the day. According to a press release from the PM Office, PM Shehbaz also instructed Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif to arrange special flights to support the religious travelers.
Arbaeen is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. The pilgrimage to Karbala, Iraq—where Imam Hussein and his brother Abbas are buried—attracts millions of devotees each year. Last year, over 21 million people participated in the event.
The government also announced that a new travel management system for pilgrims will be introduced from January 1, 2026. Under the new framework, only registered tour operators will be authorized to facilitate pilgrimages to Iran and Iraq.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday directed the immediate launch of the Gwadar Safe City project during his meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
The project, originally proposed in 2016, aims to improve security and law enforcement in Gwadar through modern surveillance and evidence-gathering technologies. The initiative is particularly focused on enhancing safety in key strategic areas of the coastal city.
The first phase of the project was approved by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) in February 2023 at an estimated cost of Rs4.97 billion.
During the meeting, the prime minister and the interior minister also reviewed the overall law and order situation in Balochistan.
In response to the road travel restrictions, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced a special flight operation for Arbaeen pilgrims, scheduled to begin next month.
According to the airline, outbound flights from Pakistan to Najaf will operate between August 8 and 11, while return flights are scheduled between August 18 and 23. The fare for each passenger has been set at $675.
However, several intending pilgrims have appealed to PIA to reduce the fare and increase the number of flights to accommodate the high demand.
