The Azadi Times Web Desk | July 28, 2025: Muzaffarabad / Skardu – In a controversial move, the Government of Pakistan has banned road travel for Pakistani pilgrims to Iran and Iraq ahead of the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage, a decision that has sparked frustration and heartbreak among thousands of Shia pilgrims across the country, including those from Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the ban on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), citing national security concerns and public safety as key reasons behind the decision. The announcement came after consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balochistan government, and national security agencies.
“This step has been taken purely in the interest of public safety and national security,” Naqvi posted.
However, the timing and suddenness of the announcement have triggered strong backlash, especially from pilgrims who had spent months preparing for the overland journey to the holy shrines in Karbala and Najaf.
“Our Bags Were Packed. Now Our Dreams Are Crushed.”
Ali Raza, a pilgrim from Sargodha, told The Azadi Times he had been saving for over a year to fulfill his dream of visiting the shrine of Imam Hussain during Arbaeen. He had packed his bags and was scheduled to leave in just two days.
“Now I’ll have to arrange at least an additional 300,000 rupees if I want to travel by air. Why wasn’t this decision announced earlier? Why couldn’t the government provide security instead of crushing our hopes?” he asked, visibly disheartened.
The alternative traveling by air is out of reach for many lower- and middle-income pilgrims. Overland travel via Balochistan was considered not only more economical but also spiritually fulfilling for thousands who preferred to walk in solidarity with fellow Shia Muslims from around the world.
Outcry from Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan
The backlash is particularly strong in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, where hundreds of caravans were already in final stages of preparation.
In Muzaffarabad, a group of young pilgrims gathered outside the press club to protest the government’s decision.
“We were ready to leave in two days,” said Muhammad Taqi, a pilgrim from Neelum Valley. “We come from remote areas, and flying isn’t an option for us. The government should have made alternative arrangements, not imposed a blanket ban.”
In Skardu, a volunteer organizing committee that had helped coordinate over 500 pilgrims across Baltistan expressed disappointment in a video statement:
“This ban has created uncertainty and deep grief. The route via Taftan is not new—it has been used for decades. Why can’t proper security measures be ensured instead of denying access to thousands of peaceful pilgrims?”
Security vs Religious Freedom
The Interior Ministry has defended the decision as a preventive measure amid intelligence reports about possible threats along the route through Balochistan. However, critics argue that the move reflects a failure in governance rather than a viable security strategy.
“It is the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens, not restrict their religious freedom,” said political analyst Dr. Nusrat Hussain. “This decision may deepen the trust deficit between the state and Shia communities, especially in sensitive regions like Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.”
Arbaeen and Its Significance
Arbaeen, observed 40 days after Ashura, marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. Millions of pilgrims from across the world travel to Iraq each year to take part in the largest peaceful gathering on earth.
For Pakistani Shias, especially those from underserved regions, the overland pilgrimage is not just a religious obligation—it’s a lifelong spiritual dream. This year’s restrictions are expected to affect more than 50,000 would-be pilgrims nationwide.
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