Over 10,000 Pilgrims Stranded in Quetta as Balochistan Shia Leaders Condemn Federal Government’s Travel Ban

QUETTA:Leaders of Balochistan’s Shia community have strongly condemned the federal government’s recent decision to restrict religious pilgrims from traveling to Iran via Balochistan, calling it an unjust and unilateral move made without consultation.

Aashiq Hussain, President of the Balochistan Shia Conference, and Vilayat Hussain Jafari, Vice President of Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) Balochistan, expressed their concerns during a protest sit-in held in Quetta on Tuesday. They said that more than **10,000 pilgrims** — including **5,000 from Quetta alone** — have been stranded after the federal interior minister, without any prior coordination, announced via a tweet that pilgrims would no longer be allowed to travel due to security concerns.

“This is an irresponsible and unacceptable decision. We were not consulted, and the entire issue was reduced to a tweet. We reject this,” said Vilayat Hussain Jafari. “Security has always been a challenge in Balochistan, but that cannot be used as an excuse to stop people from performing their religious duties.”

The leaders added that pilgrims from across Pakistan had arrived in Quetta to travel onward to Iran via the Taftan border, but their travel has now been halted, allegedly on security grounds. They also reported that the Iranian consulate has ceased issuing visas, adding to the distress of the pilgrims.

“We have already submitted written requests to the Iranian government to resume visa issuance. We also urge the Pakistani government to fulfill its responsibility by providing proper security to the pilgrims,” Aashiq Hussain said.

Criticizing the suggestion that pilgrims do not return once they leave, the leaders dismissed such claims as false narratives. “All pilgrims from Quetta return after their religious journeys. Using this as justification is misleading,” said Jafari.

They further emphasized that traveling by air is not affordable for the majority of pilgrims, who belong to middle- and lower-income classes. Blocking land routes essentially denies them the right to practice their faith.

The protestors vowed to continue their **peaceful sit-in** until the government meets their demands, including the immediate resumption of travel permissions and visa processing. The leaders also called on the Iranian government to expedite the visa process and support religious pilgrims during this difficult time.