Major Relief for Pakistani Pilgrims: Pakistan-Iran Border to Remain Open 24/7

ISLAMABAD – In a landmark development aimed at facilitating Pakistani pilgrims, Pakistan and Iran have agreed to keep the Pakistan-Iran border open 24 hours a day. The decision was made during a high-level and result-oriented meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Iranian counterpart Esmail Momeni in Tehran.
The two sides reached several important agreements focused on enhancing pilgrim facilities, improving border management, and boosting security cooperation. A key highlight of the meeting was the agreement to maintain 24/7 border access during the sacred months of Muharram and Arbaeen, which is expected to benefit hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.
Iran’s Interior Minister announced that the Iranian government would provide accommodation and meals for 5,000 Pakistani pilgrims in Mashhad. Additionally, special arrangements will be made for their onward journey from the Iran border to Iraq.
To ensure swift and effective coordination, both ministers also agreed to establish a dedicated hotline for addressing pilgrim-related issues in real-time. Furthermore, a trilateral conference will be held in Mashhad before Arbaeen, bringing together senior interior ministry officials from Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq. The conference aims to devise a joint strategy for managing pilgrim travel, security, and logistical matters.
Both countries also agreed to increase the number of flights for pilgrims and implement these enhancements promptly. The feasibility of transporting pilgrims to Iran and Iraq via sea routes was also thoroughly discussed.
In addition to pilgrimage matters, the two ministers discussed broader bilateral issues, including curbing illegal immigration, human trafficking, and drug smuggling. They emphasized strengthening cooperation and coordination on border security management.
The Iranian Interior Minister reiterated Iran’s commitment to Pakistan’s security and stated that serving pilgrims is a religious duty for Iran. The release of Iranian fishermen who inadvertently entered Pakistan’s maritime boundaries was also discussed, with Minister Mohsin Naqvi assuring full cooperation on the matter.
Minister Naqvi expressed gratitude for Iran’s generous support to Pakistani pilgrims and emphasized that the establishment of the hotline would significantly help in resolving issues quickly.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from both countries, including Iran’s Deputy Interior Minister Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian, Deputy Minister Nader Yar Ahmadi, Advisor Hadian, Governor General of Sistan and Baluchestan Mansour Bageri, and Pakistan’s Director General FIA along with other top officials.