Pakistani pilgrims to get better facilities in Iraq

ISLAMABAD: Passports of Pakistani pilgrims travelling to Iraq by air will not be withheld. This was agreed upon in a meeting held at the Ministry of Interior between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Iraqi Ambassador Hamid Abbas Lafta on Wednesday.

The meeting also resulted in the decision that the Iraqi embassy would directly issue visas to pilgrims during Arbaeen, bypassing travel agents. Additionally, the quota for Pakistani pilgrims will be increased, allowing for more visas to be issued this year compared to last year. Special flights for pilgrims on the occasion of Arbaeen will be operated, and all matters related to reopening the Iraqi consulate in Karachi will be resolved promptly to facilitate the Pakistani pilgrims.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi assured that the ministry would provide all possible cooperation in this regard. Furthermore, the minister plans to contact his Iraqi counterpart to discuss abolishing visa fees for Pakistani pilgrims during Arbaeen.

The meeting also covered the repatriation of Pakistanis imprisoned in Iraq. Naqvi announced the appointment of a police liaison officer in Iraq to address this issue and assured that strict action would be taken against agents charging extra fees from pilgrims.

Both parties agreed to finalise the agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders as a priority. Naqvi expressed gratitude to the Iraqi interior minister and ambassador for their facilitation measures, noting that the decision not to retain the passports of air-travelling pilgrims would provide great relief. The Iraqi ambassador assured that Pakistani pilgrims would receive facilities similar to those provided to pilgrims from other countries. He also extended an invitation from the Iraqi minister to Interior Minister Naqvi to visit Iraq.

Following the meeting, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi immediately contacted the Federal Minister for Aviation, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and agreed to allow the Iraqi Airlines to operate special flights starting today. Iraqi Airlines will be officially permitted to operate these flights, and PIA will also schedule special flights to Iraq, with a final schedule expected by tomorrow.

The meeting addressed the provision of facilities for Pakistani pilgrims and discussed matters of mutual interest in detail.

Interior Secretary Khurram Ali Agha and Additional Secretary Riffat Mukhtar Raja also attended the meeting.