Al-Sheeb Border Closed for Pakistani Zaireen Going to Iraq: Fly to Baghdad or Najaf, MoRA Advisory of 30 October 2026
MoRA says the Al-Sheeb crossing into Iraq has been shut to Pakistani zaireen since 21 October 2026. Fly to Baghdad or Najaf, and ask your ZGO these 5 questions.
The Al-Sheeb border crossing between Iraq and Iran has been closed since 21 October 2026, and Pakistani zaireen (pilgrims) cannot use it to enter Iraq by road, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony (MoRA) said in a press release dated 30 October 2026. For now, the ministry says, entry into Iraq is possible through Baghdad and Najaf international airports.
Al-Sheeb is the only land crossing approved for Pakistani zaireen travelling to Iraq through Iran. Passenger, vehicle and goods traffic there is suspended until further notice. Ziarat Group Organisers (ZGOs), the licensed companies that run pilgrim groups, have been told not to send anyone towards it. Below is what the order says, who it affects and what to ask your organiser before you travel.
We read MoRA's press release No. F.2(11)/76-Ziarat(Vol-IX)-0002, posted on the ministry's website on 30 October 2026, on 31 October.
Al-Sheeb has been shut to all traffic since 21 October 2026
MoRA says the Pakistan Mission in Baghdad reported that the Al-Sheeb crossing between Iraq and Iran was closed with effect from 21 October 2026. Passenger, vehicle and commercial traffic has been suspended until further notice. No reopening date is given.
| Point in the press release | What it says |
|---|---|
| Crossing | Al-Sheeb, between Iraq and Iran |
| Closed since | 21 October 2026 |
| Traffic stopped | Passengers, vehicles and goods |
| How long | Until further notice |
| Other land crossings | Not allowed without prior Iraqi permission |
| Open route into Iraq | Baghdad and Najaf international airports |
| Issued | Islamabad, 30 October 2026, Section Officer (Ziarat) |
By our count, the crossing had been shut for nine days when the ministry issued its notice. If your group set off by road in that time, ask your organiser today how it now plans to cross.
Road pilgrims through Iran are the ones affected
The closure hits zaireen who travel to Iraq overland through Iran, usually for Karbala and Najaf. Al-Sheeb is the only land crossing approved for them. Pilgrims who fly straight to Iraq are not affected by this order.
The press release is plain on one point. Zaireen cannot switch to another land crossing on their own. They need prior authorisation from the Iraqi authorities first, and MoRA does not say any has been given. So a group cannot simply drive to the next border post.
The ministry also warned on 22 October that every flight between Iran and Iraq should be checked before departure. That earlier notice, covered in our report on the advice to verify every Iran and Iraq flight, still applies to anyone who now plans to fly the last leg.
ZGOs must not send zaireen towards Al-Sheeb
MoRA has directed all Ziarat Group Organisers not to dispatch Pakistani zaireen towards Al-Sheeb until its reopening is officially confirmed, or until Iraq formally authorises another land route. ZGOs must also pass this on to their registered pilgrims quickly.
The ministry says the aim is to prevent "inconvenience, stranding of passengers and associated logistical difficulties". It adds that any further instructions it issues must be followed. If your organiser still plans a road crossing at Al-Sheeb, it is going against a written ministry direction.
Before you pay or travel, confirm your organiser is licensed. The steps are in how to check a ziarat group organiser's licence.
Five questions to ask your organiser before you travel
Ask your ZGO how you will enter Iraq, whether flights to Baghdad or Najaf are booked, and who pays any extra cost. Get the answers in writing. Pilgrims are told to verify the latest travel plan with their own ZGO before they start the journey.
- Does the trip still use the Al-Sheeb crossing? If yes, ask for the new plan.
- Will the group fly into Baghdad or Najaf instead, and are the seats confirmed?
- Who pays the extra fare, the organiser or the pilgrim?
- If the group is already in Iran, what is the plan and the date for the onward flight?
- Can you get a refund if you cancel because of the closure?
Write down the organiser's licence number and a contact who will answer while you are abroad. Men under 50 also face a separate family travel rule for Iraq, set out in the Iraq ziarat rule for men under 50.
No reopening date, so watch MoRA's website
MoRA gives no date for Al-Sheeb to reopen. It says ZGOs may send road groups again only when the reopening is officially confirmed or Iraq authorises another land route. The ministry posts such notices under Latest News on mora.gov.pk.
We could not find a reason for the closure in the press release, and we have not seen a statement from Iraq or Iran about it. So we do not know how long it will last. Plan on flying for now, and treat any road plan as uncertain until MoRA says otherwise.
Common questions
Is the Al-Sheeb border open for Pakistani zaireen?
No. MoRA says it has been closed since 21 October 2026 to passengers, vehicles and goods, until further notice.
How can Pakistani zaireen enter Iraq now?
Through Baghdad and Najaf international airports, according to MoRA's press release of 30 October 2026.
Can zaireen use another land border from Iran?
Not without prior authorisation from the Iraqi authorities. MoRA says Al-Sheeb is the only approved land crossing for Pakistani zaireen.
Who issued the advisory?
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Islamabad, on 30 October 2026, signed by its Section Officer (Ziarat), based on a report from the Pakistan Mission in Baghdad.
What should I do if my group is already in Iran?
Contact your ZGO at once and ask for its plan to fly you into Baghdad or Najaf. Do not travel to the closed crossing.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked 31 October 2026. Every detail of the closure comes from MoRA's press release dated 30 October 2026, posted as "Important Advisory: Closure of Al-Sheeb Border Crossing between Iraq and Iran for Pakistani Zaireen" on mora.gov.pk, which we read in full, including the signed scan of the circular attached to it on the ministry's advisory page. The nine-day count is our arithmetic. We could not verify the reason for the closure or any reopening date, and we did not find a statement from the Iraqi or Iranian side.
About the author
Senior Writer, Public Services and Technology
Shahid joined us in 2024 as an author. He is a senior contributor to Pakistan's leading technology websites. He writes detailed articles, mostly covering his expertise in the latest tech, mobiles, apps, gadgets, and step-by-step guides. His ideology is to help people understand the latest trends and explain complex methods through very easy-to-understand guides.
