MWM, Shia Ulema Council Call Off Arbaeen March After Successful Talks

After successful negotiations with the government, the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) and the Shia Ulema Council have decided to postpone the Arbaeen march, reaching a mutual understanding on seven key points.

Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori told the media that “due to the security situation, it is not possible to travel by road.” Minister of State Talal Chaudhry announced that “the government will arrange discounted air tickets for the pilgrims,” adding that the Iraqi government will be approached for a sixty-day extension in visa validity.

According to officials, flight operations to Iraq are expected to commence within two to three days. Students already present at the border will be permitted to enter Iran, and a high-level committee will be formed by the government for continued dialogue on the matter.

It is noteworthy that a few days earlier, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had stated that “this year, pilgrims cannot go to Arbaeen via Balochistan, Iran, or Iraq by land,” following which MWM had announced a nationwide protest against the restriction on land routes for Arbaeen pilgrims.