Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday that the Balochistan government has been directed to launch direct flights from Quetta to Iran and Iraq to facilitate Arbaeen pilgrims.
His remarks came during an address in the National Assembly where he talked about the Arbaeen flights and the need for ban that was imposed earlier.
This decision follows a ban on land travel for pilgrims due to a volatile security environment, particularly the heightened risk of terrorist attacks on pilgrim convoys traveling through Balochistan’s border regions.
The minister emphasized that the safety of pilgrims is a top priority, prompting the shift to air travel to ensure secure and uninterrupted journeys to sacred sites for Arbaeen, the annual commemoration of Imam Hussain’s martyrdom.
Asif elaborated that the federal government has instructed the Balochistan administration to coordinate with aviation authorities to operationalize these flights promptly. Iran has so far approved one direct flight from Quetta, but Pakistan is actively engaging with Iranian authorities to secure permissions for more frequent flight operations to accommodate the large number of pilgrims.
Additionally, arrangements have been finalized for seamless onward transportation from airports in Iran (primarily Mashhad and Tehran) and Iraq (Najaf and Baghdad) to key pilgrimage sites, including Karbala and other holy shrines, ensuring pilgrims face no logistical hurdles upon arrival.
To expand capacity, the government has opened the route to private carriers. Over the past four days, advertisements have been published in major newspapers and online platforms, inviting licensed private airlines to operate flights from Quetta to the designated destinations.
The Civil Aviation Authority has streamlined the approval process, granting permissions to all licensed private airlines to provide services on these routes. Furthermore, chartered flights have been authorized to maximize the number of pilgrims able to travel safely, with the government working closely with tour operators to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
Asif also noted that the government is coordinating with Iraqi authorities to secure landing slots and facilitate smooth operations at Iraqi airports. Special measures, including dedicated check-in counters and security screenings at Quetta International Airport, have been introduced to expedite the travel process for pilgrims.
The minister assured the National Assembly that the government is committed to resolving any operational challenges, such as visa processing or flight scheduling, through diplomatic channels and close collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
This initiative reflects Pakistan’s efforts to balance religious obligations with security imperatives, ensuring that thousands of Arbaeen pilgrims from Balochistan and surrounding areas can perform their spiritual journey without risking their safety on perilous land routes.
