Iran-Iraq land border closed for pilgrims

Ministry advises zaireen to take direct flights

ISLAMABAD:

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued an alert for pilgrims intending to enter Iraq via a land route to visit religious sites, informing them that the border crossing between Iran and Iraq has been closed for over a week.

According to a ministry spokesperson, the only land route through which pilgrims enter Iraq from Iran—Al-Sheeb Border—is closed since October 21 for all vehicles.

The spokesperson said Pakistani pilgrims in Iran can only go to Iraq via flights to Najaf and Baghdad airports. He advised pilgrims to read the latest travel advisory before embarking on a journey from Iran to Iraq.

The ministry spokesperson also advised Ziyarrah Group Organisers (ZGOs) to inform pilgrims about the land route closure and not to use it to reach Iraq.

Pilgrims from all over the world visit holy sites in Iraq and Iran including the Shrine of Imam Hussain (AS) in Karbala and the Shrine of Imam Reza (AS) in Mashhad.