ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday accepted Iraq's request and allowed its flag carrier to facilitate pilgrims by operating extra flights to the country during the Arbaeen event, Pakistan's aviation minister said in a statement.
Arbaeen is one of the largest annual religious events in the world during which millions of Shia Muslims gather at Karbala to mark the end of the 40-day mourning period of the killing of Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) grandson. Thousands of Pakistanis also attend the Arbaeen festival each year in Iraq which takes place during the Islamic month of Safar.
Iraq's Ambassador to Pakistan Hamid Abbas Lafta called on the advisor to the Pakistani prime minister on aviation, Air Marshal (retired) Farhat Hussain Khan to discuss the upcoming religious event, the aviation ministry said.
"Request was extended by the Iraqi side to allow Iraqi Airways extra flights to facilitate Zaireen [pilgrims] during Arbaeen," the statement read. "The airline was given permission for extra flights," it said, adding that both sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in the aviation sector.
During the meeting, the two sides also exchanged views on bilateral relations between Iraq and Pakistan, the aviation ministry said, adding that both countries enjoy a cordial relationship based on religion and culture.
Relations between Pakistan and Iraq have received a boost with a number of ministerial-level exchanges in recent years. Earlier this month, former interior minister Rana Sanaullah visited Iraq during which the Iraqi government increased the quota of Pakistani Arbaeen pilgrims to 100,000 from 50,000.
