Iran border to stay open 24/7 during Muharram, Arbaeen
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni in Tehran on Wednesday where both the countries made several important decisions to help pilgrims and improve border cooperation.
The two ministers agreed that the Pakistan-Iran border will remain open 24 hours a day during Muharram and Arbaeen to facilitate religious pilgrims. The Iranian government will also provide accommodation and meals in Mashhad for 5,000 Pakistani pilgrims.
To solve issues quickly, a hotline will be set up between the two countries. A special three-nation meeting involving Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq will be held in Mashhad before Arbaeen to plan better arrangements for pilgrims.
Both sides also agreed to increase the number of flights for pilgrims and discussed sending pilgrims by sea.
They also talked about working together to stop illegal immigration, human trafficking, and drug smuggling.
Improving border security and cooperation between the two countries was also discussed.
Mohsin Naqvi thanked the Iranian government for supporting Pakistani pilgrims and assured full cooperation regarding the release of Iranian fishermen who accidentally entered Pakistani waters.
Senior officials from both countries were present at the meeting.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Putin tells Trump he won't back down from goals in Ukraine, Kremlin says
MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin told U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call on Thursday that Moscow wants a negotiated end to the Ukraine war but will not step back from its original goals, a Kremlin aide said. In a wide-ranging conversation that also covered Iran and the Middle East, Trump 'again raised the issue of an early end to military action' in Ukraine, the aide, Yuri Ushakov, told reporters. 'Vladimir Putin, for his part, noted that we continue to seek a political and negotiated solution to the conflict,' Ushakov said. Putin says will speak with Trump on phone Thursday Putin briefed Trump on the implementation of agreements reached between Russia and Ukraine last month to exchange prisoners-of-war and dead soldiers, Ushakov said, and told him that Moscow was ready to continue negotiations with Kyiv. 'Our president also said that Russia will achieve the goals it has set: that is, the elimination of the well-known root causes that led to the current state of affairs, to the current acute confrontation, and Russia will not back down from these goals,' he added. There was nothing in the Kremlin readout to suggest that Putin had made any shift in Moscow's position during the conversation with Trump, who took office with a promise to end the war swiftly but has voiced frequent frustration with the lack of progress between the two sides. The phrase 'root causes' is shorthand for the Kremlin's argument that it was compelled to go to war in Ukraine to prevent the country from joining NATO and being used by the Western alliance as a launch pad to attack Russia. Ukraine and its European allies say that is a specious pretext for what they call an imperial-style war, but Trump in previous public comments has shown sympathy with Moscow's refusal to accept NATO membership for Ukraine. Putin and Trump did not talk about the U.S. decision to halt some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine, Ushakov said. On Iran, he said, 'the Russian side emphasised the importance of resolving all disputes, disagreements and conflict situations exclusively by political and diplomatic means'. Trump last month sent U.S. military bombers to strike three Iranian nuclear sites, in a move condemned by Moscow as unprovoked and illegal.
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
Traffic plan unveiled, MA Jinnah road to be closed for security measures
The Traffic Police have announced a special traffic plan for 8th, 9th, and 10th of Muharram. Under the plan, MA Jinnah Road will remain closed from Guru Mandir to Tower on all three days due to security concerns. PHOTO: EXPRESS TRIBUNE Almost 50,000 police personnel will be deployed for the security of Muharram processions in Sindh, said Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon addressing a press conference on Thursday. The tense geopolitical situation of the region compounded by collaboration of anti-state elements with the hostile neighbour warrants heightened security for the mass gatherings of Muharram. Sharjeel assured that the Sindh government has made foolproof security arrangements for Muharram. Most important was the unity of Ummah to defeat the designs of enemies of the country to use Muharram days to fan sectarian hatred and violence. The senior minister stated that the Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah held meetings with scholars from various schools of thought to assure harmony and reviewed the security plan for gatherings and processions. Sharjeel told the media that 14,546 police personnel would be deployed for gatherings and 35,116 for Muharram processions, with over 14,000 additional personnel assigned to ensure the security of all events. He announced that a total of 49,662 police personnel will be deployed across Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and Shaheed Benazirabad from the 8th to 10th of Muharram to prevent any untoward incidents and maintain peace. He emphasised that while the Sindh government tolerates criticism, it will not allow anyone to dictate its policies. He added that the government had also proposed allocating a large designated area for protests to ensure that public life remains unaffected. Traffic plan for three days of Muharram The Traffic Police have announced a special traffic plan for 8th, 9th, and 10th of Muharram. Under the plan, MA Jinnah Road will remain closed from Guru Mandir to Tower on all three days due to security concerns. The main Muharram processions will begin from Nishtar Park and conclude at Hussainia Iranian Imambargah, passing through its designated routes. Vehicles bearing special stickers issued for the procession will be allowed to join. As per the announced plan for traffic, commuters from Nazimabad can travel through Lasbela Chowk via Nishtar Road and Garden. Those coming from Liaquatabad can turn right at Teen Hatti towards Lasbela Chowk or to left towards Central Jail and Martin Road. Motorists coming from Hassan Square and heading to the PP Chowrangi can use Kashmir Road under Jail Flyover, Society Light Signal, Sharah-e-Quaideen, and Nishtar Road via Teen Hatti and Lasbela Chowk. Commuters from Sharea Faisal towards Sharah-e-Quaideen and Noorani Kabab to Numaish can take a right turn at Society traffic light towards Kashmir Road. Those heading to Guru Mandir or MA Jinnah Road via Jail Gate or Jamshed Road can take Bahadur Yar Jang Road and pass through Soldier Bazaar. Similarly, those at Garden Zoo heading to MA Jinnah Road will be diverted via Anklesaria to either Gul Plaza or Coast Guard, near Holy Family Hospital. All heavy and commercial vehicles from Super Highway or Gulberg towards MA Jinnah Road will be diverted from Liaquatabad No10 to Nazimabad Chowrangi No2, and then proceed via Habib Bank Flyover, State Avenue Road, and Shershah to Mauripur. The same route will apply for return. Heavy traffic coming from National Highway will take Sharea Faisal or Rashid Minhas Road, Stadium Road, Sir Shah Suleman Road, Hassan Square, Liaquatabad No10, and Nazimabad Chowrangi No2 towards Mauripur, and will follow the same route back. The Traffic Police spokesperson clarified that no small or large vehicles will be allowed beyond Guru Mandir Chowk on the procession route. All such traffic will be diverted towards Bahadur Yar Jang Road and Soldier Bazaar. Vehicles with stickers will be allowed entry from Sharah-e-Quaideen via Society Light Signal. Participants arriving from Nazimabad may enter via Lasbela, Al-Bela, Garden Jamaat Khana, Soldier Bazaar No3 traffic light to Numaish. Those from Liaquatabad, Teen Hatti, Jehangir Road, Guru Mandir, Society signal, Gulistan-e-Johar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, University Road, Old Sabzi Mandi, Kashmir Road can also through Numaish. Vehicles distributing niaz or tabarruk will only be allowed entry into the procession from Tower near Memon Masjid. No vehicle will be permitted to park along the procession route.d
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Govt announces July 5-6 holidays on account of Ashura
Listen to article The federal government has announced public holidays on July 5 and 6 (corresponding to Muharram 9 and 10) to mark Ashura, which commemorates the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions in Karbala. According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, "Prime Minister has been pleased to declare 5th and 6th July, 2025 (Saturday and Sunday) as public holidays on the occasion of Ashura (9th & 10th Moharram 1447 AH).' The announcement was made in continuation of the Cabinet Division's earlier circular, issued on December 23, 2024, outlining the schedule of public holidays for 2025. The public holidays will apply to all federal government offices. Provincial governments are expected to issue separate notifications in alignment with the federal announcement. In anticipation of large gatherings and processions, the government has tightened security measures across the country, particularly around Imambargahs. Surveillance has been enhanced to prevent any untoward incidents. Read More: PM directs authorities to ensure security during Muharram Last week, while chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to ensure strict law and order during Muharram-related processions and majalis. He instructed the interior minister to coordinate with provincial governments, as well as the administrations in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, to maintain peace and security throughout the holy month. Mohsin Naqvi stated that a comprehensive security plan had been finalised to check miscreants and ensure high-level surveillance during Muharram. Also Read: India blocks Pakistani celebrities social media accounts again Earlier this week, during a visit to an Imambargah, the minister said security forces had been placed on high alert to thwart any "nefarious designs of cowardly enemies." He further noted that approval had been granted for the deployment of the Pakistan Army in all provinces, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, on the request of local administrations. The army, he added, will remain available to support the civil administration as needed to ensure peace and order during the month.
