Latest news with #Zaireen
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Govt bars pilgrims from traveling to Iran, Iraq by road this Arbaeen
Pakistani pilgrims will not be allowed to travel to Iran and Iraq by road for the Arbaeen pilgrimage due to public and national security, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday. 'After extensive consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, [the] Balochistan Government, and security agencies, 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 on X. The minister said that the decision was taken in the interest of public safety and national security. He added that the intending pilgrims will be able to travel by air. Naqvi said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to arrange maximum flights in the coming days to facilitate pilgrims travelling for Arbaeen. PM Shehbaz directs assistance for protection of Pakistani pilgrims in Iran His remarks followed a briefing to the prime minister earlier in the day on the new pilgrimage management policy, according to a report by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). The prime minister also instructed Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif to ensure the availability of special flights for pilgrims, the APP reported, citing a press release from the PM Office. As part of broader reforms, the government plans to implement a new travel management system effective January 1, 2026. Under the new framework, only registered group organisers will be allowed to facilitate pilgrimages, replacing the traditional Salar system. Iran eases visa rules for Pakistan zaireen In addition to the increase in weekly flights to Iran from six to 15, authorities will arrange 107 special flights for Zaireen travelling to Iraq for religious observance. Meanwhile, Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf recently clarified that his earlier statement regarding 40,000 missing pilgrims was based on a misunderstanding. He said outdated paper records, which had not yet been fully digitised, led to the inaccurate figure. Arbaeen Pilgrims travel to Iraq to participate in the Chehlum observance, also known as Arbaeen, an Arabic word meaning 'forty', which marks the 40th day of mourning following the martyrdom of Imam Husain, the revered grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Karbala, Iraq, where Imam Husain and his brother Abbas are buried in two grand shrines, becomes the focal point for millions of Shia pilgrims during Arbaeen. Last year, more than 21 million people took part in the annual pilgrimage.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Land routes barred for Arbaeen pilgrims amid security concerns
Listen to article The Pakistani government has imposed a ban on overland travel to Iran and Iraq for Arbaeen pilgrims, citing national security and public safety concerns. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that pilgrims will now only be allowed to travel to the holy sites in Iran and Iraq by air. 'Pilgrims will not be permitted to use road routes to Iraq and Iran,' he said in a message shared on social media. 'This decision has been made in view of public safety and national security,' the minister added, stating that the ban was finalised after consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balochistan government, and security agencies. After extensive consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Balochistan Government, and security agencies, it has been decided that Zaireen will not be allowed to travel to Iraq and Iran by road for Arbaeen this year. This difficult decision was taken in the interest of… — Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) July 27, 2025 To accommodate the change, the federal government has decided to increase the number of flights. 'Under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's directive, more flights will be arranged for Arbaeen pilgrims,' Naqvi said, noting that maximum possible flight capacity will be ensured. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced a special flight operation for Arbaeen starting August 8. Outbound flights from Pakistan to Najaf will operate from August 8 to 11, while return flights from Najaf to Pakistan are scheduled for August 18 to 23. Read More: Pakistan, Iran and Iraq to form joint body to streamline pilgrim travel PIA has set the fare at USD 675 per passenger for the special Arbaeen operation. However, many intending pilgrims have urged PIA to reduce the fare and introduce additional flights to meet high demand during the religious occasion. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Pakistani pilgrims travel overland to Najaf via Iran. The sudden ban on road travel is expected to significantly affect travel logistics, especially for those unable to afford air travel.
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan signs UN convention to conserve marine life
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said hundreds of Zaireen evacuated from Iran and Iraq so far. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN Pakistan on Tuesday signed an agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) that establishes a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities. DPM Ishaq Dar signed the agreement at the United Nations Headquarters here, during his eight-day visit to the United States of America. Pakistan played a leading role during the BBNJ negotiations, serving as Chair of the Group of 77 and China during the two main sessions in 2022.
Express Tribune
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Gaza high on agenda in Dar's UN visit next week
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said hundreds of Zaireen evacuated from Iran and Iraq so far. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to the United States next week to participate in high-level events marking Pakistan's presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in New York, the Foreign Office said has confirmed. Dar will chair multiple signature events at the UN headquarters, including a high-level open debate on "Promoting International Peace and Security through Multilateralism and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes." The session aims to reinforce multilateral diplomacy and mediation as key tools for resolving global conflicts. He will also preside over the UNSC's quarterly open debate on the "Situation in the Middle East including the Palestinian Question," underscoring Pakistan's continued focus on long-standing international disputes, the FO added. In addition, Dar is scheduled to chair a special UNSC briefing on strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), part of Pakistan's broader diplomatic push to link multilateral institutions in pursuit of peace. To reaffirm Pakistan's solidarity with Palestine, the deputy prime minister will attend a high-level conference on the "Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution." The event is expected to spotlight Islamabad's call for an end to occupation and a just resolution to the decades-old conflict. During his stay in New York, Dar is also expected to hold several bilateral meetings with fellow foreign ministers and senior UN officials. He will later travel to Washington for additional engagements, though specific details of the visit have not yet been announced.
Express Tribune
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Mohsin Naqvi meets Iranian president, vows stronger cooperation
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran, pledging stronger bilateral cooperation and expressing solidarity over Iran's recent conflict. Naqvi congratulated President Pezeshkian on Iran's 'great victory' in the war, and commended the leadership of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling it a source of pride for the Muslim world. The minister said Pakistan had strongly condemned the attack on Iran and was the first to pass a parliamentary resolution supporting Iran's right to self-defence. He also conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to regional stability. President Pezeshkian expressed appreciation for Pakistan's support during the conflict and described the relationship between the two countries as 'deep and historic.' He warned that the Zionist regime was seeking to divide Muslim countries and urged unity among Islamic nations. Pezeshkian underscored the importance of diplomacy and constructive dialogue, saying that both countries had ample opportunity to expand cooperation in various sectors. 'The support extended by Pakistan during the war will not be forgotten,' he said, adding that unity among Muslim nations was essential for countering foreign interference. The meeting was also attended by Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, the President's Special Assistant, and ambassadors from both countries. Earlier, the minister also attended a trilateral meeting of interior ministers from Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq, hosted in Tehran. The three countries agreed to form a joint working group to facilitate pilgrim travel, with Naqvi announcing that from January 1, 2026, Zaireen will only be permitted to visit Iraq through officially registered group organisers.
