Pakistan Boosts Travel for Arbaeen Pilgrims with New Ferry Service and Increased Flights

ISLAMABAD: In a significant move to improve travel arrangements for Arbaeen pilgrims, the Government of Pakistan has announced the launch of a new ferry service and an increase in weekly flights to Iran and Iraq.

The decision came during a high-level meeting of the Special Task Force on Pilgrims’ Issues, chaired by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The meeting was also attended by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, and top officials from the civil aviation, immigration, and religious affairs departments.

During the briefing, civil aviation authorities confirmed that flights to Iran have been increased from 6 to 15 per week, while 107 special flights have been scheduled for Iraq during the Arbaeen pilgrimage season.

To further facilitate pilgrims, a ferry service is being introduced. The decision to allow land route travel for Arbaeen will be made after a reassessment of the post-Ashura security situation.

In a major policy shift, the task force announced that starting January 1, 2026, all Arbaeen pilgrims will be required to travel through the Group Organisers System, replacing the traditional Salar system. So far, 1,413 applications for registration under the new system have been received, with the verification and scrutiny process ongoing.