KARACHI:
The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) and Shia Ulema Council (SUC) on Friday called off their “Arbaeen Hussaini March” after successful negotiations with officials from federal and provincial governments over the ban on Shia pilgrims travelling to Iran and Iraq via land routes.
The breakthrough came after Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori, accompanied by MQM leaders, visited the MWM office and held a five-hour meeting with MWM chief Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri.
According to both sides, all seven demands of the march organising committee have been accepted. These include extending visas nearing expiry through talks with the Iraqi government; refunding amounts already paid to bus owners; facilitating pilgrims with valid visas to travel by air at subsidised fares; launching special flight operations, and forming a government committee — with MWM and SUC representation — to address pilgrims’ issues.
Speaking at a joint presser with march organisers, Chaudhry apologised to the community for the inconvenience caused, terming the travel ban “temporary” and imposed solely for security reasons. “We accept all demands of the Arbaeen march leadership, and practical steps will begin soon,” he said, lauding the governor’s role in the breakthrough.
MWM deputy chief Allama Ahmed Iqbal Rizvi thanked the governor and MQM leadership for their role before calling off the “Arbaeen Hussaini March” from Karachi-to-Rimdhan. “We will monitor the implementation of these commitments,” he said, adding that students stranded at the border would be allowed immediate entry, while pilgrims in Quetta would also benefit from discounted air tickets.
SUC leader Allama Nazir Abbas Taqvi also welcomed the agreement, saying government representatives had given firm assurances of action on all points.
The federal government’s decision to bar land travel for Shia pilgrims to Iran and Iraq had prompted MWM chief Allama Jafri to announce the long march on Aug 6, attracting hundreds of participants.
Meanwhile, the first Iran Air flight from Quetta to Zahedan departed on Thursday night, marking the commencement of a weekly air service between the two cities.
According to a Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) spokesperson, a ceremony was held to mark the occasion, attended by the Iranian consul general, airport manager, chief security officer, Airport Security Force (ASF) officials, and representatives of the chamber of commerce.
The spokesperson said that Iran Air flight IR-824, carrying 75 passengers, took off for Zahedan at 11.30pm. Earlier in the evening, the inaugural incoming flight from Zahedan had landed in Quetta at 9.15pm. The PAA confirmed that one flight per week will operate on the QuettaZahedan route.
