Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has told Pakistani pilgrims waiting to move from Iran into Iraq to study fresh travel instructions after the Al-Shib land border closed.
A ministry spokesperson said Al-Shib is the only road crossing from Iran into Iraq and that traffic there has been suspended. The closure, in place since 21 October, covers passengers, vehicles and commercial goods and will continue until further orders, the spokesperson said. Because of that shutdown, Pakistani pilgrims cannot use another land path into Iraq.
Air options while the border stays shut
For those already in Iran, the ministry pointed to flights into Iraq. The spokesperson said Pakistani pilgrims can enter through Baghdad and Najaf international airports.
That air option is presented as the practical route while Al-Shib remains closed. Travellers planning the Iran-to-Iraq leg should treat the land crossing as unavailable until authorities reopen it.
What organisers and travellers are asked to do
The ministry asked Pakistani pilgrims to check the new travel instructions before continuing from Iran toward Iraq. It also told ziarat group organisers to alert Pakistani pilgrims at once about the border closure so groups are not left waiting at a shut crossing.
Clear, early notice matters for pilgrims who may have built itineraries around a road journey. Organisers who update groups quickly can help travellers switch to flights via Baghdad or Najaf if that is how they intend to proceed.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 21 October: Al-Shib border between Iran and Iraq closed; passenger, vehicle and commercial-goods movement suspended until further orders.
- Since 21 October: The ministry says Al-Shib remains the sole Iran–Iraq land route and that no alternative road crossing is available to Pakistani pilgrims.
- Latest ministry advice: Pakistani pilgrims waiting to enter Iraq from Iran are told to review new travel instructions; organisers must inform groups of the shutdown; air entry via Baghdad and Najaf airports is cited.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Iran se Iraq jane wala Al-Shib barader 21 October se band hai. Wazarat-e-Mazhabi Umur ne kaha hai ke Pakistani zaaireen nai safar ki hidayat zaroor dekhein. Ab zameeni raasta available nahi; Baghdad aur Najaf airport se plane se jana bataya gaya hai. Group organisers ko chahiye ke wo zaaireen ko bandish ki khabar foran dein.
