Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori on Thursday telephoned Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi and stressed the need for immediate steps to resolve the issues confronting the Arbaeen pilgrims presently protesting at Ancholi in Karachi, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Earlier, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, in his telephonic conversation with Tessori, had requested him to hold negotiations with the pilgrims aiming to visit Iran and Iraq for Arbaeen.
The governor, in return, assured him that he would contact the devotees and play his role in resolving their issues.
Late last month, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had that the government will not allow pilgrims to travel to Iran and Iraq by road for the Arbaeen pilgrimage this year, citing public safety and national security concerns for the ban.
Thousands of Pakistani citizens visit Iran and Iraq annually for religious tourism and to visit religious sites, including observing Arbaeen (Arabic for “forty”), a significant religious occasion in Shia Islam. It marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussain (RA), who was “martyred” in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD.
Travellers to Iran and Iraq by road have often been targeted in sectarian attacks by armed groups in Balochistan, which shares a border with Iran.
Islamabad’s decision comes in the wake of a rise in militant attacks in the province by militant groups.
“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,” Mohsin Naqvi wrote on X.
The interior minister said this “difficult decision” was taken in the interest of public safety and national security. However, he said Shia pilgrims will be allowed to travel by air to Iran and Iraq.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to arrange maximum flights to facilitate their pilgrimage in the coming days,” he wrote.
https://x.com/MohsinnaqviC42/status/1949390316340981868
Reporter: Khurshid Rehmani