Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on Sunday that Pakistani pilgrims will be prohibited from traveling by road to Iran and Iraq for the Arbaeen pilgrimage due to concerns regarding public and national security.
Pilgrims travel to Iraq for the chehlum observance — referred to as Arbaeen (40 in Arabic) — to honor the 40th day of grief for the martyrdom of Imam Husain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
“Following thorough discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balochistan Government, and security agencies, it has been decided that zaireen (pilgrims) will not be permitted to travel to Iraq and Iran via road for Arbaeen this year,” Naqvi stated on X.
He stated that the “challenging choice was made for the sake of public safety and national security.”