Federal Minister for Interior Affairs Mohsin Naqvi announced the decision taken by the federal government to ensure security for the pilgrims travelling to Iran and Iraq by road.

He announced via a tweet on X (former Twitter) on Sunday that the “Zaireen will not allow pilgrims to travel to Iraq and Iran by road for Arbaeen this year”.

The decision has been taken to address the security concerns and safeguard the national interest.

He said the decision was made after extensive consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balochistan government, and law enforcement agencies.

“Pilgrims will only be permitted to travel via air,” the minister clarified, terming the move a “difficult but necessary step” to ensure public safety.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to arrange maximum flights to facilitate their pilgrimage in the coming days”, said Mohsin Naqvi.

Every year, thousands of Pakistanis travel to Iran by road through Iraq to attend the Arbaeen, the religious gathering in Karbala.