Interior Minister: Relevant agencies should take steps to stop people illegally traveling to Iraq under the guise of pilgrims
Islamabad: The government has decided to increase flights for pilgrims going to Iran and Iraq as well as start ferry services.
An important meeting of the special task force established on the instructions of the Prime Minister to resolve the problems of pilgrims going to Iran and Iraq was held, which was chaired by Federal Minister for Interior and Chairman of the task force Mohsin Naqvi.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, while senior officials of various ministries and institutions also participated.
Important decisions were taken in the meeting regarding the convenience and security of pilgrims. In a briefing given by the Civil Aviation, it was informed that the number of weekly flights to Iran has been increased from 6 to 15, while 107 special flights have also been arranged for Iraq on the occasion of Arbaeen.
The meeting also considered further increasing the number of flights for pilgrims going to Iran and Iraq.
The briefing also informed that a ferry service is being started in the future to provide better travel facilities to the pilgrims. After Ashura, the security situation for Arbaeen will be reviewed, after which a decision will be taken to allow or not to allow travel by land.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that in view of the current situation, keeping the pilgrims safe from any kind of difficulty or trouble is the top priority of the government. He said that the safety of the pilgrims is the most dear.
It was decided in the meeting that from January 1, 2026, the pilgrims will be able to go for pilgrimage only under the group organizers system and along with this, the Salar system will be completely abolished. So far, 1413 applications have been received for the registration of group organizers under the new system, the process of examination and scrutiny of which is underway.
The Interior Minister directed that the FIA ​​​​and other relevant agencies ensure that all possible measures are taken to prevent people illegally going to Iraq under the guise of pilgrims.
The meeting was also attended by the Secretary Interior, Secretary Religious Affairs, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the DG FIA, DG Civil Aviation, Additional Chief Secretary Balochistan, IG Balochistan, Commissioner Quetta, and other officers participated in the meeting via Zoom.
