Iran issues over 58,000 visas for Arbaeen Pakistani pilgrims

ISLAMABAD: Iranian authorities have issued visas to 58,000 Pakistani pilgrims traveling through Iranian borders to Iraq for Arbaeen.

As per the details, Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moqaddam, told Iran’s official news agency that the country issued these visas through a round-the-clock effort.

The ambassador highlighted that more than 1,000 Pakistani buses and 70 Iranian vehicles had been allocated to transport Pakistani pilgrims through the land borders, adding that around 14 defunct Pakistani buses had been replaced.

The ambassador also announced a 50 percent discount in insurance tariff for pilgrims and supply of fuel to Pakistani buses at standard rates in Iran.

The official also announced that the customs duty imposed on the goods of Pakistani convoys has been abolished.

In his remarks, the Ambassador sympathized with the recent incident that led to the death of Pakistani pilgrims. At least 28 Pakistani pilgrims lost their lives while 23 others were injured when a bus carrying pilgrims overturned in central Iran about a week ago.

As far as Arbaeen is concerned, special arrangements are being made for the convenience of pilgrims from the Muslim world.

Arbaeen is a mourning ritual observed by Shia Muslims around the world to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS). Arbaeen is celebrated with a pilgrimage to the Iraqi city of Karbala.