Pakistan to Launch Chartered Flights for Pilgrims Traveling to Iran and Iraq

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has officially invited licensed air operators to apply for chartered flight services between Pakistan and Iran/Iraq, as part of a new government initiative to facilitate pilgrims through safer means of travel.

This move follows a federal government decision to suspend road travel to both countries due to escalating security threats, particularly for pilgrims traveling during high-risk seasons.

According to a notification issued on Tuesday, the PCAA has asked all valid air charter license holders to submit applications to operate flights specifically for religious travel. The authority noted that these flights will serve the increasing number of Pakistani pilgrims who travel to Iran and Iraq every year, particularly for significant religious occasions like Arbaeen in Iraq.

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The PCAA emphasized that applications for religious tourism will be processed on priority, ensuring that all operations are executed in coordination with relevant government departments. The objective is to guarantee safe, efficient, and timely air travel during the upcoming pilgrimage season.

Meanwhile, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reaffirmed the government’s stance in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that road travel for Arbaeen will remain suspended this year, and that only air travel will be permitted for pilgrims heading to Iran and Iraq.

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Religious tour operators across the country have welcomed the development, saying the charter flight option offers a safer and faster alternative to the often dangerous and logistically difficult land routes. Many operators are now preparing to step in and facilitate thousands of pilgrims through chartered air services in the coming weeks.