ISLAMABAD: In a significant move to facilitate religious pilgrims, the government of Pakistan has increased the number of weekly flights to Iran and Iraq in preparation for the Muharram and Arbaeen religious events.
This development was finalized in a high-level meeting of the special task force established to streamline pilgrimage travel.
The meeting, chaired by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, was attended by Federal Ministers Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, and Talal Chaudhry, along with senior officials from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and other relevant departments.
During the meeting, it was announced that the number of weekly flights to Iran would be increased from six to fifteen to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims traveling for Muharram-related activities.
Additionally, the government will operate 107 special flights for pilgrims traveling to Iraq for Arbaeen, which occurs forty days after Ashura.
Civil Aviation Authority officials briefed the meeting that, apart from the increase in Iran-bound flights, the special flights for Arbaeen would be launched to facilitate the large influx of pilgrims headed to Iraq. The task force also reviewed the long-term plans to improve travel services, including the introduction of a ferry service for pilgrims in the future.
Key security and logistical measures were discussed to ensure the safety and convenience of the pilgrims, with a proposal to further increase the number of flights to both Iran and Iraq. The task force also agreed to reassess ground travel arrangements for Arbaeen to ensure that adequate security protocols were in place post-Ashura.
In a significant policy change, the government also decided to overhaul the pilgrim management system. Starting January 1, 2026, the existing “Salar System” will be completely phased out.
Under the new system, only registered group organizers will be allowed to send pilgrims for religious visits abroad. To date, 1,413 applications for group organizer registration have been received and are currently under scrutiny.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, addressing the meeting, emphasized that the safety and well-being of the pilgrims were the government’s top priority. Given the current regional and security concerns, he stressed that every effort must be made to protect the pilgrims from any hardship or illegal exploitation.
The minister further directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other relevant authorities to take strict measures to prevent any misuse of pilgrimage arrangements for illegal travel, particularly to Iraq. He highlighted the need for robust enforcement and real-time screening to deter unauthorized movements during this busy pilgrimage season.
The meeting also saw participation from the secretaries of the Interior, Religious Affairs, Information, and Foreign Ministries, along with key officials from the FIA, Civil Aviation, and Balochistan government. Some officials joined the session via Zoom, further highlighting the importance of coordination across different levels of government to ensure smooth operations during the peak pilgrimage period.
