Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) announced a countrywide peaceful protest and sit-ins in response to the government’s ban on by-road travel for Arbaeen pilgrims, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, MWM chief Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas condemned the government’s move to block overland routes to Iran and Iraq during Arbaeen.
He said this was a violation of constitutional right to religious freedom under Article 20, adding that MWM will not accept any illegal or immoral act.
Allama Nasir revealed that pilgrims from across Pakistan — including Gilgit-Baltistan and Karachi — had already spent Rs50 billion collectively on tickets, visas, hotel bookings, and other arrangements, which now stand wasted due to the last-minute decision. He criticised the Ministry of Religious Affairs for its statement on missing pilgrims and demanded a public apology, calling the claim misleading and disrespectful. This ban was imposed without consulting any stakeholders, he said.
He also reminded the media that earlier this year, 67,000 Pakistanis were deprived of performing Hajj due to alleged administrative failures.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had announced that Pakistani pilgrims would not be allowed to travel to Iran or Iraq by road for this year’s Arbaeen pilgrimage due to security concerns.