Shia Conference Urges Pakistan to Reopen Taftan Border Crossing

Shia Conference Urges Pakistan to Reopen Taftan Border Crossing
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The Shia Conference in Balochistan has called on the Pakistani government to urgently reopen the Taftan border crossing, which has remained closed for nearly eight months, causing hardship for Shia pilgrims traveling to Iran and Iraq. The appeal was made in a statement following a recent meeting of the conference’s council in the provincial capital, Quetta.

The statement said the Taftan crossing serves as the only land route for about 95% of Shia pilgrims, while only a small minority can afford air travel due to high costs. The conference urged both the federal government and the army chief to take immediate action to restore access, warning that the continued closure has compounded economic and social pressures on low-income communities and restricted the free practice of religious rites.