Pakistan Advises Visitors to Iran and Iraq to Check Flights and Prepare Alternatives

On Thursday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony issued a warning directed at Pakistani travelers visiting Iran and Iraq, urging them to verify the status of their flights before departure and to make alternative arrangements in anticipation of possible cancellations.

The ministry addressed the warning specifically to "visitors" — pilgrims who combine multiple shrine visits in trips that include religious sites in both countries — especially those who rely on Iranian airlines to fly between Tehran or Mashhad and Najaf.

The ministry said in a circular that it had received instructions from the Foreign Ministry, which in turn relayed guidance issued by Pakistan’s embassy in Baghdad, and it asked travelers to check every flight sector between Iran and Iraq before departing.

The circular urged registered Ziarat Group Organizers (ZGOs) to avoid relying on unconfirmed Iran flights, to prepare contingency plans that include alternative overland or air routes, to carry sufficient cash reserves, and to have accommodation plans in case flights are canceled.

The ministry emphasized that the guidance does not constitute a ban on travel to Iran or Iraq, but it recommended that group organizers inform all pilgrims in their programs of the measures before departure to reduce potential risk and disruption.

The advice comes at a time when Iran and Iraq are major destinations for Shia visitors from Pakistan, who often combine visits to several shrines on a single trip.

The ministry added that the warning was issued amid rising regional tensions related to Iran, without the government explicitly linking the advisory to the security situation.