KARACHI; The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) has temporarily called off its protest against the federal government’s ban on overland travel for Arbaeen pilgrims, following assurances from Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori that he would take up the issue with authorities in Islamabad.
Speaking to the media after visiting the MWM headquarters on Wednesday night, Governor Tessori said that the party had agreed to pause their protest march for now. “We will meet again in the afternoon, and there is hope that a resolution will be reached,” he said.
The federal government had earlier announced a ban on road travel to Iran and Iraq for the Arbaeen pilgrimage this year, citing security threats. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said the decision was made after consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balochistan government, and national security agencies.
Tessori said he had spoken with Minister Naqvi—currently in the US—who confirmed that the travel restriction stemmed from security concerns. The governor added that he had assured MWM leaders that efforts were being made to secure federal support for extending Iraqi visas, increasing special flights, and negotiating discounted airfare for pilgrims.
However, MWM Vice Chairman Allama Ahmed Iqbal Rizvi emphasized that the march was only suspended, not called off. “We have paused the protest until the afternoon. If no progress is made, we will resume the march,” he warned.
He criticized the government for imposing the ban without offering a viable alternative. “If road travel is unsafe, then another safe and accessible route should be provided,” he said. “Every effort must be made to ensure that pilgrims can reach Karbala.”
Rizvi further noted that discussions were held with Governor Tessori, who has agreed to summon Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry to Karachi for further dialogue. “We, along with the governor, will engage with Talal Chaudhry to find a workable solution,” he said.
Approximately 700,000 Pakistani pilgrims travel to Iraq each year, many of them during Arbaeen, which commemorates the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) in the Battle of Karbala.
