Islamabad:
The federal government has prohibited land trips for pilgrims going to Iraq for Arbaeen, citing security problems in the province carried out of Balutchistan, the Minister of the Interior Naqvi confirmed Sunday.
Naqvi said the decision had been made after consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balutchistan government and security agencies, adding that pilgrims would be authorized to go to Iraq only by plane.
Arbaeen, marking the 40th day of mourning after Ashura, sees millions of pilgrims, including thousands of Pakistan, going to Karbala, Iraq, each year. Traditionally, many Pakistani pilgrims travel by road through Balutchistan and Iran.
However, due to the deterioration of the situation of public order in the province – including terrorist attacks increased by Indian proxy outfits – the government has judged the decision necessary for public security and national security.
“After numerous consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balutchistan government and security agencies, it was decided that Zaireen will not be authorized to go to Iraq and Iran by road to Arbaeen this year,” Naqvi published on X.
“The Zaireen will however be able to travel by plane. Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the authorities to organize maximum flights to facilitate their pilgrimage in the coming days,” he added. “This difficult decision was made in the interest of public security and national security.”
On the management of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for organizing flights to facilitate pilgrims, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced four special Karachi flights between August 8 and 11, with return flights from Najaf scheduled for August 18 to 21.
According to a spokesperson for the PIA, the price was set at Rs212,000 per person, and ticket sales had started. He added that more flights could be provided if necessary. Officials have said that passengers traveling individually should be sponsored by the local population, otherwise they cannot enter Iraq.
Meanwhile, private airlines have increased the prices sharply, with tickets now between 300,000 Rs to Rs350,000. Verders estimate the group travel expenses at $ 1,400 per pilgrim, compared to only $ 550 for ground trips.
This has feared that tens of thousands of low -income pilgrims are unable to afford the trip. Salaries – Pilgrim group leaders – argue that the ban on which was announced only 15 days before Arbaeen caused significant financial losses.
They said that many people had already made prior payments for visas, vehicle certifications and hotels reservations. They demanded that the government are hosting bus convoys supervised under the protection of security agencies or provide alternative transport agreements.
“This loss is not supported by the rich but by the poor,” said a pilgrimage organizer at L’Express PK Press Club under the cover of anonymous. He asked why the ban was not announced earlier at 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 of the security situation in Balutchistan and the new pilgrim policy. The Prime Minister ordered the initiation of the city of Gwadar Safe to improve security in the region.
Naqvi highlighted the need for better management of pilgrims. From next year, he said, the pilgrims will only be allowed to travel under the officially recorded group organizers, with special visas issued by the embassy required for independent trips. This system aims to limit illegal travel and overcome problems.
Meanwhile, Naqvi also visited Quetta and Azad Cachemire. In Quetta, he paid tribute to the martyred soldiers at the headquarters of the border body, praising their sacrifices to maintain peace. Later, in Muzaffarabad, he met the family of Major Rab Nawaz, a martyr officer, and offered condolences.
