Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas has raised concerns about the financial impact of halting overland travel for Arbaeen pilgrims. Speaking at a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, he warned that the decision could lead to a loss of up to Rs50 billion.
The issue was discussed during the meeting chaired by Senator Atta-ur-Rehman. The committee reviewed a recent decision that restricts Pakistani pilgrims from using the land route through Afghanistan to reach Iran and Iraq for Arbaeen, a significant religious pilgrimage for Shia Muslims.
Senator Abbas, representing the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), strongly objected to the move. He argued that it would not only inconvenience pilgrims but also cause financial harm to tour operators and the wider economy. The senator questioned the government’s role in ensuring citizens could fulfill their religious obligations, pointing out that many pilgrims had already paid for travel services.
“If pilgrims are forced to switch to air or sea routes, the cost could increase by an additional Rs48 billion,” Senator Abbas added. He suggested that the government consider alternative routes, including safer land routes or even sea routes, particularly for access to Mashhad in Iran, which is easily reachable via Kabul.
In response, the Secretary of Religious Affairs clarified that there was no official ban on the pilgrims. However, he explained that the decision was based on security concerns, with Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq agreeing on the revision of travel routes for safety reasons. The option of sea routes was also under consideration.
Senator Abbas urged the Ministry of Religious Affairs to take a more active role in addressing the issue and involve all stakeholders, especially tour operators, before making such significant decisions. He criticized the government for not consulting tour operators during the planning phase.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf assured the committee that the issue would be revisited. He promised to engage with tour operators and explore all possible options to help facilitate the pilgrims.
Arbaeen, observed 40 days after Ashura, marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (A.S) and is one of the largest religious gatherings globally. Millions of devotees participate in this pilgrimage every year, with many traveling to Karbala in Iraq to honor the sacrifice of Imam Hussain.
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