ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have reached a significant agreement to keep their shared border open 24 hours a day during the Islamic months of Muharram and Safar, ensuring smoother passage for religious pilgrims.
This development came following a high-level meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni in Tehran.
Both sides emphasized their commitment to improving pilgrim facilities and enhancing bilateral cooperation along the border.
Key Agreements to Facilitate Pilgrims
During the discussions, Pakistan and Iran agreed on several important measures to benefit pilgrims from both countries.
Iran committed to providing accommodation and meals for 5,000 Pakistani pilgrims in the holy city of Mashhad, one of the main pilgrimage destinations.
To handle pilgrim-related issues promptly, a direct hotline will be established between Pakistan and Iran. Additionally, a trilateral meeting involving Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq is planned to be held in Mashhad ahead of the Arbaeen pilgrimage to ensure thorough coordination and smooth arrangements.
Both countries also agreed to increase the number of flights for pilgrims traveling between them. They are further exploring options for transportation by sea to provide more convenient travel alternatives for worshippers.
These steps highlight the commitment to enhancing ease of access and safety for pilgrims during these sacred months.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations and Border Security
Beyond pilgrim facilitation, the meeting also focused on strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations and mutual cooperation in various critical areas.
Both sides discussed ways to combat illegal immigration, human trafficking, and drug trafficking through better coordination and border security management.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed gratitude to Iran for its continued support to Pakistani pilgrims and assured full cooperation regarding the release of Iranian fishermen detained in Pakistani waters.
The Iranian minister reiterated that Iran regards Pakistan’s security as paramount and underscored that serving pilgrims is a shared religious responsibility.
This meeting follows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to Tehran, where he engaged with Iranian leadership to discuss regional peace and bilateral cooperation. Emphasizing peace and dialogue, the prime minister stated Pakistan’s readiness to resolve disputes, including the Kashmir issue, through peaceful talks.
