In response to the federal government’s ban on overland travel to Iraq and Iran for Arbaeen 2025, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced a special flight operation for pilgrims. The outbound flights to Najaf will run from August 8 to 11, with return flights scheduled between August 18 and 23.
The move follows a high-level security decision led by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balochistan government, and law enforcement agencies. The restriction, according to officials, is aimed at ensuring public safety and national security during the pilgrimage season.
With road routes closed, demand for air travel has surged. PIA has fixed the round-trip fare at $675, but many pilgrims have appealed for lower costs and more flight options. Responding to public concern, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to increase flight capacity to ensure all registered pilgrims can travel on time.
At the same time, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has introduced a major policy shift. On July 10, it replaced the traditional Salar system with the Ziyarat Group Organizer (ZGO) model. Under the new framework, all pilgrims must register in advance, similar to Hajj and Umrah procedures. As of now, 585 companies have completed documentation, and new organizers must register by August 10.
Whether the road travel ban will continue beyond this year remains undecided, but for now, the government’s combined approach expanded air access, structured registration, and tightened oversight aims to keep this year’s Ziyarat journey safe, accessible, and regulated.
