Karbala: The Governor of Karbala, Nassif Jassim al-Khattabi, announced the successful execution of security and service plans during the Arba'een pilgrimage to the shrine of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), with approximately 22 million pilgrims participating in the event.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Khattabi highlighted in a press conference that the pilgrimage was marked by effective service and security arrangements, which included the participation of nearly five million foreign pilgrims. He commended Prime Minister Ali Abdullah Saleh for his consistent follow-up and detailed oversight of the pilgrimage plan.

Al-Khattabi detailed the active involvement of the Popular Mobilization Forces in executing the service and security strategies, which were crucial to the pilgrimage's success. He mentioned that over 16,000 Husseini processions were involved in delivering services to the pilgrims, with more than 2,400 of these being foreign processions.

Further, the Governor noted that the Karbala Health Department, bolstered by support from other ministries, provided medical services to around 7 million pilgrims. The province also ensured a stable supply of 1,600 megawatts of electricity throughout the pilgrimage.

Al-Khattabi pointed out the significant efforts of cleaning teams who managed to remove over 650,000 tons of waste after the pilgrimage, emphasizing the province's dedication to managing services and completing post-pilgrimage activities. He also expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi's oversight, acknowledging government support as a pivotal factor in the successful organization and service measures for the occasion.