With heightened security concerns in Balochistan, the Pakistani federal government has officially banned overland routes for pilgrims traveling to Iran and Iraq for this year’s Arbaeen commemoration. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that after detailed consultations with the Foreign Ministry, provincial authorities, and security agencies, road travel through Balochistan is now prohibited for public safety and national security reasons.

Traditionally, hundreds of thousands of Pakistani devotees journey overland often via Iran to visit the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala as part of the Arbaeen pilgrimage. This year, however, such land routes have been closed entirely. Instead, pilgrims will be permitted to travel only by air, under directions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to arrange a maximum number of special flights to accommodate the Zaireen.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has already scheduled four special flights departing from Karachi between August 8 and August 11, while return flights from Najaf are planned for August 18 to 21. Airfare for these operations has been set and ticket sales have commenced. Private airlines have also announced flights, albeit at significantly higher fares. Many low-cost pilgrims, who traditionally relied on the road route’s affordability, are now facing financial strain due to steep increases in travel costs.

The decision, made just two weeks before the pilgrimage season begins, sparked concern among traditional pilgrimage organisers. Salar group leaders reported that many pilgrims had already incurred expenses related to visas, hotels, and road transport. These leaders have urged the government to consider organizing escorted road convoys or subsidized air travel to ease the burden on less affluent pilgrims.

In response to broader concerns, the government has announced a structured Zaireen Management Policy effective January 1, 2026. The revamped policy will replace the longstanding informal Salar system with a regulated framework mandating that all pilgrims travel under licensed group organizers. Weekly commercial flights to Iran are expected to rise from six to fifteen, alongside over 100 additional special charter flights to Iraq.

The abrupt shift from road to air travel reflects a strategic recalibration prioritizing traveller safety amid volatile security conditions. Though more costly, the government asserts that this change is a necessary measure to protect lives and prevent potential threats during one of the largest religious pilgrimages in the world.