PPP Criticizes Federal Government’s Ban on Road Travel for Pilgrims to Iraq and Iran

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has strongly criticized the federal government’s recent decision to impose a ban on pilgrims traveling by road to Iran and Iraq. The pilgrims travel to Iraq primarily to attend the Arbaeen procession, held to mark the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) in the Battle of Karbala. Arbaeen, which means ‘forty’ in Arabic, is a significant religious event for Muslims, particularly Shia, marking a period of mourning and remembrance.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced yesterday that, due to national and public security concerns, pilgrims would not be allowed to travel by road to Iran and Iraq. This announcement has sparked widespread criticism from various political parties, including the PPP.

PPP leader Hassan Murtaza, in a statement, called on both the federal and provincial governments to work alongside security agencies to ensure the safety of the pilgrims. “The protection of travelers is the state’s responsibility,” he said. Murtaza questioned the rationale behind the decision, asking, “Why can’t the common citizen, who pays taxes to the state, travel by road?”

He argued that the ban disproportionately affects ordinary people, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, as road travel is a more affordable option. “The poor people, who save every penny to visit these sacred sites, are being deprived of an affordable means of travel,” he added.

Murtaza further criticized the government for making religious tourism less accessible to the public, pointing out that pilgrims often prefer road travel due to its lower cost, especially for families. “By imposing this ban, the government is making religious visits out of reach for ordinary citizens,” he stated.

Arbaeen is a major religious observance, especially in Karbala, Iraq, where the tombs of Imam Hussain (RA) and his brother Hazrat Abbas (RA) are located. It becomes a spiritual hub for millions of Shia Muslims worldwide. Last year, over 21 million pilgrims participated in the Arbaeen procession in Karbala.

In light of these concerns, Pakistan is set to introduce a new travel management system for pilgrims starting from January 1, 2026. Under this new system, pilgrims will only be able to travel through registered organizers, replacing the traditional ‘Salar system’ with the ‘Pilgrim Group Organizer Model.’ Additionally, the number of weekly flights to Iran will be increased from 6 to 15, and 107 additional special flights will be arranged for pilgrims traveling to Iraq.

Following a recent meeting between the Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced that special flights for pilgrims traveling to Iraq will be available between August 8 and 11.

Meanwhile, the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) also condemned the federal government’s decision, labeling the ban on road travel for pilgrims as “unacceptable, unjustified, and unconstitutional.” They argued that the decision undermines the basic rights of citizens and violates the constitutional guarantees of freedom of movement.