ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Chaudhry Salik, has dismissed reports claiming the ‘disappearance’ of 50,000 Pakistanis in Iraq.
He clarified that there was a misunderstanding regarding his statements, and the reports of 50,000 Pakistanis going missing were false.
In a separate development, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Iraqi Ambassador Hamid Abbas Lafta have announced several new measures to ease travel restrictions and improve convenience for Pakistani pilgrims traveling to Iraq for Arbaeen.
Moreover, during a high-level meeting on Wednesday, they agreed to make the pilgrimage process smoother by allowing Pakistani pilgrims to keep their passports upon arrival.
The Iraqi Embassy will now issue visas directly to the pilgrims, eliminating the need for travel agents, and increasing the quota for Pakistani pilgrims.
