Iraqi Interior Minister announces to open all entry points for Pakistani Zaireen on request of Rana Sanaullah Khan

ISLAMABAD, Sep 11 (SABAH): Iraqi Interior Minister Othman Ali Farhood Moshir Al-Ghanimi has announced to increase the number of visas for Pakistani Zaireen and open all entry points for them. The Iraqi interior minister also announced to process all the visa applications pending with the Iraqi Embassy immediately.

The announcement was made by Iraqi Interior Minister Othman Ali Farhood Moshir Al-Ghanimi during a telephonic conversation with Pakistani counterpart Rana Sanaullah Khan on Sunday.

Rana Sanaullah Khan discussed the issue of delay in issuance of the visas to the Pakistani Zaireen, increase in the number of visas and difficulties being faced by Pakistanis in entry in Iraq with Iraqi counterpart during the telephonic call.

Rana Sanaullah Khan requested his Iraqi counterpart to permit entry to 5,000 Pakistanis present in Iran to Iraq. Rana Sanaullah also requested his Iraqi counterpart to permanently open the border with Iran for the Pakistani Zaireen intended to enter in Iraq through Iran. Rana Sanaullah also requested to issue special visa to those Zaireen intended to visit Iraq on the occasion of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).

Iraqi Interior Minister Othman Ali Farhood Moshir Al-Ghanimi welcomed all the suggestions presented by Rana Sanaullah Khan and assured to immediately approve them and also ensured implementation on them. Iraqi interior minister also announced to provide special visa facility to Pakistani Zaireen intended to visit Iraq on the occasion of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA). It has also been decided to increase the number of visas for the Pakistani Zaireen intending to visit Iraq.

Interior ministers of both countries also agreed to form joint committee for the durable resolution of the problems of Zaireen and other issues. Both interior ministers also agreed to take steps for the improvement of relations between the two countries and improve the coordination between the interior ministries of both countries.

Rana Sanaullah Khan thanked his counterpart for permitting the 5,000 Pakistani Zaireen stuck at the Iran-Iraq border to immediately enter in Iraq. Rana Sanaullah also thanked his Iraqi counterpart for immediate implementation on visa applications; increase the number of visas and issuance of the special permit for Arbaeen. The duration of the telephone call between two interior ministers remained nearly 40 minutes.

Rana Sanaullah Khan also invited Iraqi Interior Minister Othman Ali Farhood Moshir Al-Ghanimi to visit Pakistan at the earliest. Iraqi interior minister expressed will wishes for his Pakistani counterpart and accepted the invitation to visit Pakistan soon and also thanked Rana Sanaullah.

Earlier, Rana Sanaullah Khan had requested his Iraqi counterpart to allow five thousand stranded Pakistani Zaireen at Iran border to enter Iraq.

He also requested for issuance of special visas to Pakistani Zaireen wishing to visit Iraq for upcoming Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and to permanently open Iran-Iraq border for them.