Balochistan, Aug. 8 -- A long march by Shia pilgrims protesting the federal government's ban on overland travel to the shrines of Iran and Iraq was halted by Balochistan police at the Hub River Bridge, near the Sindh-Balochistan border, The Balochistan Post reported.

The group began their journey on foot from Karachi, with the goal of reaching the Taftan border and continuing towards Iraq for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage.

Security officials deployed police forces along with the Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF) to block main entry routes into Balochistan, citing precautionary security concerns, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

Negotiations are currently underway as authorities seek to dissuade the protestors from advancing, hoping to res...