On July 27, 2025, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced special flights to Najaf, Iraq, for Arbaeen pilgrims. These flights will operate from August 8 to August 11, with return flights scheduled between August 18 and August 23 following a government ban on road travel in Balochistan due to security concerns.
A spokesperson for PIA announced that special flights to Najaf will operate from August 8 to 11, with return flights available from August 18 to 23. Tickets are priced at $675 and are currently on sale. According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, approximately 700,000 Pakistani pilgrims travel annually to commemorate Arbaeen, which marks the anniversary of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS).
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on X that, after consulting with security agencies, the government has banned road travel to Iran and Iraq for Arbaeen to ensure public safety. He cited terror threats in Balochistan as the reason for this decision. The ban has sparked protests in Quetta, where pilgrims are demanding the restoration of road travel and arguing that air travel remains unaffordable for the middle class.
Read: Pakistan Bans Road Travel for Arbaeen to Iraq and Iran
On July 10, the Ministry of Religious Affairs announced the replacement of the Salar system with the Ziyarat Group Organiser (ZGO) system. This new system requires registration for Arbaeen pilgrims, similar to the processes for Hajj and Umrah. A spokesperson stated that “585 companies have registered,” and any new ones must comply by August 10, 2025. This transition aims to improve oversight and ensure the safety of pilgrims.
PIA launched special flights to support pilgrims impacted by the road travel ban, aiming to address both accessibility and safety concerns.
