ISLAMABAD — July 7, 2025
In a significant move to facilitate thousands of Pakistani pilgrims journeying to Iran and Iraq for Arbaeen, the federal government has announced the launch of a ferry service alongside a major expansion in air travel arrangements.
The decision came during a high-level meeting of the Special Task Force on Pilgrims’ Issues, chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The meeting was attended by key cabinet members including Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Overseas Pakistanis Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, and senior officials from civil aviation, immigration, and other departments.
Civil Aviation Authority representatives informed the task force that the number of weekly flights to Iran has more than doubled — rising from six to fifteen — while a total of 107 special flights have been scheduled for Iraq to accommodate the anticipated surge in Arbaeen pilgrims.
In addition to the air travel expansion, a ferry service is being launched to offer an affordable and accessible alternative for pilgrims. Officials said the service will provide much-needed relief to travelers, especially from remote regions, and help ease the pressure on airports.
The task force also discussed the possibility of reopening land routes after Ashura, depending on the regional security situation. Authorities plan to conduct a fresh assessment before making a final call on overland travel.
In a structural reform aimed at ensuring better organization and transparency, the government announced that starting January 1, 2026, all pilgrimages for Arbaeen will take place under the newly introduced “Group Organizers System.” This will replace the decades-old informal “Salar” model.
So far, 1,413 applications have been received for registration as official group organizers, with the verification and scrutiny process currently underway. Officials emphasized that strict monitoring will be in place to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent travel to Iraq under the guise of religious pilgrimage.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other concerned departments to tighten oversight and crack down on illegal travel operations. “We must ensure that every pilgrim’s journey is safe, legal, and organized,” he said.
The new measures come as part of a broader push to streamline Pakistan’s pilgrimage infrastructure and improve services for religious travelers heading to sacred destinations.
