Latest news with #EskandarMomeni
Arab News
5 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Pakistan, Iran agree to increase number of flights for pilgrims
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have agreed to increase the number of flights for pilgrims and keep their shared border open round the clock during Muharram and Arbaeen, state news agency APP reported on Wednesday. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni in Tehran on Wednesday, where both countries made several important decisions to facilitate pilgrims and improve border cooperation. While there is no precise official count, approximately 700,000 Pakistani pilgrims visit Iran annually for religious purposes, particularly for Arbaeen, a significant religious observance in Shia Islam, marking the 40th day after the Day of Ashura. It commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), at the Battle of Karbala. Arbaeen is also the end of a 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussain. 'The two ministers agreed that the Pakistan-Iran border will remain open 24 hours a day during Muharram and Arbaeen to facilitate religious pilgrims,' APP reported. 'Both sides also agreed to increase the number of flights for pilgrims and discussed sending pilgrims by sea.' The Iranian government will also provide accommodation and meals for 5,000 Pakistani pilgrims in Mashhad, the city most famous and revered for housing the tomb of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia Imam. Every year, millions of pilgrims visit the Imam Reza shrine and pay their tributes. 'To solve issues quickly, a hotline will be set up between the two countries. A special three-nation meeting involving Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq will be held in Mashhad before Arbaeen to plan better arrangements for pilgrims,' APP added. Significant pilgrimages occur in Iran, especially at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, the Fatima Masumeh Shrine in Qom, and the Shah Cheragh Shrine in Shiraz. These shrines are dedicated to revered figures in Shia Islam and are major pilgrimage destinations for Shia Muslims, including from Pakistan.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Iran border to stay open 24/7 during Muharram, Arbaeen
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is determined to give tough time to BCCI and India for treating Pak Cricket unfairly. PHOTO: AFP Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni in Tehran on Wednesday where both the countries made several important decisions to help pilgrims and improve border cooperation. The two ministers agreed that the Pakistan-Iran border will remain open 24 hours a day during Muharram and Arbaeen to facilitate religious pilgrims. The Iranian government will also provide accommodation and meals in Mashhad for 5,000 Pakistani pilgrims. To solve issues quickly, a hotline will be set up between the two countries. A special three-nation meeting involving Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq will be held in Mashhad before Arbaeen to plan better arrangements for pilgrims. Both sides also agreed to increase the number of flights for pilgrims and discussed sending pilgrims by sea. They also talked about working together to stop illegal immigration, human trafficking, and drug smuggling. Improving border security and cooperation between the two countries was also discussed. Mohsin Naqvi thanked the Iranian government for supporting Pakistani pilgrims and assured full cooperation regarding the release of Iranian fishermen who accidentally entered Pakistani waters. Senior officials from both countries were present at the meeting.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan-Iran border to remain open 24 hours during Muharram
Listen to article Pakistan and Iran have agreed to strengthen border cooperation and significantly enhance facilities for religious pilgrims ahead of the Islamic months of Muharram and Arbaeen, according to APP. The decisions were made during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni in Tehran on Wednesday. Senior officials from both countries were also present. As part of the new understanding, the Pakistan-Iran border will remain open 24 hours a day during Muharram and Arbaeen to ensure smooth movement for pilgrims. The Iranian government will provide accommodation and meals in Mashhad for up to 5,000 Pakistani pilgrims. A hotline will also be established between the two countries to resolve cross-border issues swiftly. In a key development, the ministers agreed to convene a trilateral meeting involving Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq in Mashhad prior to Arbaeen. The meeting aims to improve logistical and administrative arrangements for pilgrims making the religious journey. The two sides also discussed increasing the number of flights for pilgrims and explored the possibility of sea travel to ease transit. Cooperation on curbing illegal immigration, human trafficking, and drug smuggling was also addressed. Both ministers reaffirmed the importance of stronger coordination between border forces to enhance regional security. Naqvi expressed gratitude to Iran for its continued support to Pakistani pilgrims and assured cooperation regarding the release of Iranian fishermen who inadvertently crossed into Pakistani waters.
CNA
04-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Two held in Iran after deadly port explosion: state TV
TEHRAN: Iranian authorities arrested two people including a government official in connection with a deadly explosion last month at the country's main commercial port, state television reported on Sunday (May 4). The Apr 26 blast at a dock in the southern port of Shahid Rajaee killed at least 57 people and injured more than 1,000, officials said, revising down an earlier death toll. The judiciary on Sunday said the toll had been revised because "it was determined that some of the bodies considered separate were in fact one body", adding that it could still change. At the time of the blast, Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni blamed "shortcomings, including noncompliance with safety precautions and negligence". Shahid Rajaee is near Iran's coastal city of Bandar Abbas on the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which one-fifth of global oil output passes. "A government manager and another from the private sector have been arrested," state television said on Sunday, citing a report from the investigating committee. The committee announced on Monday that "false declarations (of goods) were made in some cases". It said on Sunday that "suspects have been identified and the summoning process is underway", without elaborating. The New York Times has quoted a person with ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss security matters, as saying that what exploded was sodium perchlorate, a major ingredient in solid fuel for missiles. Iran's defence ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik later told state television that "there has been no imported or exported cargo for military fuel or military use in the area".
Express Tribune
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Iran arrests two over deadly port blast that killed 57, injured 1,000
Smoke rises after a massive explosion that ripped through the Shahid Rajaee Port as officials conduct operations on April 26, 2025. More than 500 people have so far been injured in a massive explosion. PHOTO: ANADOLU Listen to article Iranian authorities arrested two people including a government official in connection with a deadly explosion last month at the country's main commercial port, state television reported on Sunday. The April 26 blast at a dock in the southern port of Shahid Rajaee killed at least 57 people and injured more than 1,000, officials said, revising down an earlier death toll. The judiciary on Sunday said the toll had been revised because 'it was determined that some of the bodies considered separate were in fact one body', adding that it could still change. At the time of the blast, Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni blamed 'shortcomings, including noncompliance with safety precautions and negligence'. Shahid Rajaee is near Iran's coastal city of Bandar Abbas on the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which one-fifth of global oil output passes. 'A government manager and another from the private sector have been arrested,' state television said on Sunday, citing a report from the investigating committee. The committee announced on Monday that 'false declarations (of goods) were made in some cases'. It said on Sunday that 'suspects have been identified and the summoning process is underway', without elaborating. The New York Times has quoted a person with ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss security matters, as saying that what exploded was sodium perchlorate – a major ingredient in solid fuel for missiles. Iran's defence ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik later told state television that 'there has been no imported or exported cargo for military fuel or military use in the area'.
