In a move aimed at safeguarding citizens, Pakistan has officially prohibited road travel for pilgrims heading to Iran and Iraq for this year’s Arbaeen observances. The decision was announced by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who emphasized that national security concerns were at the core of this policy shift.

“Following detailed discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balochistan Government, and our national security apparatus, it was concluded that road travel for Zaireen is too risky this year. This difficult decision has been taken to prioritize public safety,” Naqvi stated on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Air travel remains open, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the immediate increase of available flights to accommodate pilgrims via air routes. Government departments have been instructed to coordinate efforts to ensure timely departures for those registered.

Earlier in July, the Ministry of Religious Affairs updated its operational guidelines for religious travel. One of the key changes involves replacing the old Salar system with a more structured Ziyarat Group Organizer (ZGO) system. The ZGO model is designed to streamline logistics, improve accountability, and ensure smoother coordination between pilgrims and regulatory bodies.

In addition, registration has been made mandatory for those wishing to travel, aligning it with processes used for Hajj and Umrah. According to ministry sources, 585 companies have already completed the documentation process. New travel operators have been given until August 10, 2025, to complete their registration under the revised framework.

This latest announcement underscores the government’s balancing act between religious facilitation and national security amid evolving regional challenges.