Islamabad:
The federal government banned overland journey for Pilgrims on its way to Iraq for the Arbae, citing security concerns in the residual Balochistan province, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Sunday.
Naqvi said the decision was made after consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balochistan Government and the security agencies, adding that Pilgrims would be allowed to travel to Iraq only by air.
The Arbae, which marks the 40th mourning day after Ashura, sees millions of pilgrims, including thousands from Pakistan, trips to Karbala, Iraq, annually. Traditionally, many Pakistani pilgrims travel through Balochistan and Iran.
Due to the deteriorating law and order situation in the province – including increased terrorist attacks from Indian proxy clothing – the government evaluated the step needed for public security and national security.
“After extensive consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balochistan government and security agencies, it has been decided that Zaireen will not be allowed to travel to Iraq and Iran on the way for the Arbae this year,” posted Naqvi on X.
“However, Zaireen will be able to travel by plane. Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has instructed authorities to arrange maximum flights to facilitate their pilgrimage in the coming days,” he added. “This difficult decision was made in interest in public security and national security.”
In the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to arrange aircraft to facilitate pilgrims, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced four special flights from Karachi between August 8 and 11 with return flights from Najaf scheduled from August 18 to 21.
According to a Pia spokesman, the ticket price is set at RS212,000 per Person and ticket sales had started. He added that more flights could be planned if necessary. Officials said that passengers traveling by plane individually must be sponsored by local people, otherwise they cannot enter Iraq.
Meanwhile, private airlines have greatly increased ticket prices, with tickets now ranging between RS300,000 to RS350,000. Travel operators estimate group expenses for groups at $ 1,400 per year. Pilgrim compared to only $ 550 for land trips.
This has raised fears that tens of thousands of low -income pilgrims may not be able to afford the journey. Salars – Pilgrim Group leaders – claims that the ban that has been announced just 15 days before the arbae has caused significant financial losses.
They said many people had already made advance payments for Visa, Vehicle Certifications and Hotel Bookings. They demanded that the government allow monitored bus convoys under the protection of security agencies or provided alternative transport schemes.
“This loss is not carried by the rich, but by the poor,” a pilgrimage events told Express Pakinomist on condition of anonymously. He questioned why the ban was not announced earlier during a recent trilateral meeting between Pakistan, Iran and Iraq, where travel restrictions were discussed.
During a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Naqvi informed him about Balochistan’s security situation and the new pilgrimage policy. The prime minister was aimed at the introduction of the Gwadar Safe City project to improve the security of the region.
Naqvi emphasized the need for better pilgrimage. From next year, he said, Pilgrims will only be allowed to travel under officially registered group organizers with special ambassador issued visas required for independent journeys. This system aims to slow down illegal travel and transcends problems.
Meanwhile, Naqvi also visited Quetta and Azad Kashmir. In Quetta, he paid tribute to martyred soldiers in Frontier Corp’s headquarters and praised their victims to maintain peace. Later, in Muzaffarabad, he met the family of Major Rab Nawaz, a martyred officer, and offered compassion.
