Balochistan govt to improve facilities for Shia pilgrims

Provincial government decides to enhance security

QUETTA:

The government of Balochistan has decided to improve facilities for the Shia pilgrims traveling between Quetta and Taftan, the town on the Iran border. The provincial government has also decided to improve security measures for the pilgrims. In this connection, Balochistan Chief Secretary Abdul Aziz Uqaili chaired a high-level meeting on Monday to review arrangements for the pilgrims traveling to Iran via the Pak-Iran border, Taftan, on Monday.

A d d i t i o n a l C h i e f Secretary (Home) Saleh Nasar, Quetta Division Commissioner Sohailur Rehman, Rakhshan Division Commissioner Tariqur Rehman, and other senior administration officials participated in the meeting. The meeting decided to improve security measures for the pilgrims traveling between Pakistan and Iran. Speaking on the occasion, the chief secretary directed the officials concerned to make sure provision of better facilities for the pilgrims. “Steps should be taken to ensure a peaceful journey for the Zaireen,” Uqaili directed the officials. Various proposals were given by commissioners and administration officials with regard to the improvement of facilities for the pilgrims. Every day, a large number of Shia pilgrims travel on the QuettaTaftan highway to reach Iran and visit holy places in Iran and Iraq. Pilgrims from Pakistan’s largest city of Karachi, Lahore and other parts of the country frequently travel through the QuettaTaftan highway. Militants have repeatedly attacked Shia pilgrims in Balochistan's Mastung and other districts of the province. Most of the attacks have taken place in Balochistan's restive Mastung district.