SAEDNEWS: The visit by the Pakistani minister highlights deepening regional ties as Iran prepares to host thousands of Pakistani pilgrims en route to Karbala.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has arrived in Tehran for trilateral talks with Iranian and Iraqi officials ahead of the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage.
Upon arrival at Mehrabad International Airport, Naqvi was received by his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Mo’meni, who praised Pakistan’s “honest and firm” stance in condemning Israel’s recent aggression against Iran.
Mo’meni highlighted the significant number of Pakistani pilgrims who travel through Iran to Iraq each year for the Arbaeen rituals and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to facilitating their journey.
The Arbaeen pilgrimage marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH), the third Shia Imam and grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Each year, millions of Shia Muslims from around the world make the pilgrimage on foot to the Iraqi city of Karbala, which houses Imam Hussein’s shrine.
Minister Naqvi noted that thousands of Pakistani pilgrims are expected to participate in this year’s pilgrimage.