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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines on Friday announced special flights to Iraq and Syria to facilitate people planning to visit the two Arab countries for the religious observance of Arba'een.
The occasion marks the fortieth day after the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who lost his life on 10th Muharram during the Battle of Karbala in 61 AH (680 CE).
The Pakistani airline will operate several flights to Baghdad, Najaf and Damascus between September 17 and 24.
"PIA always launches special flights on significant religious occasions to facilitate pilgrims," it said in an official statement. "The national airline has always been in the forefront of transporting these people to sacred places."
The special flights will depart from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
Last month, Pakistan discussed ways to facilitate pilgrims to Iraq during the visit of Iraqi foreign minister Dr. Fuad Hussein to Islamabad.
Iraqi and Syrian cities of Najaf, Karabala and Damascus hold tremendous significance for Shiites around the world, many of whom travel to these places during the first two months of the lunar Islamic calendar to recall the sacrifices made by the small army led by Husayn ibn Ali.