Action would be taken against travel agents who charged extra fees from pilgrims, Mohsin Naqvi assures Iraqi Envoy   

ISLAMABAD, July 14 (SABAH): Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain met with Iraqi Ambassador Hamid Abbas Lafta to discuss measures to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims visiting Iraq.

The meeting focused on providing maximum facilities to pilgrims, including the issuance of free of cost entry visa and increasing the quota for Pakistani pilgrims. Interior Minister Naqvi assured the Iraqi envoy that action would be taken against travel agents who charged extra fees from pilgrims. He highlighted that every year, hundreds of thousands of Pakistani pilgrims visit Iraq, but Zaireen face certain issues especially during the months of Muharram and Safar. He said that the government is working to provide maximum facilities to these pilgrims and if the Iraqi government allows free of cost entry visa to the pilgrims, it will greatly facilitate them. Interior Minister also requested the Iraqi Government to double the quota for Pakistani pilgrims this year. He also requested the Iraqi Government to waive the passport submission requirement for Pakistani pilgrims on entering Iraq, as it causes them problems on their return.

The Iraqi ambassador agreed to fully cooperate in this regard to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims. The Iraqi ambassador provided a list of travel agents who had charged extra fees from pilgrims. Interior Minister assured that strict action would be taken against these travel agents within a week. During the meeting, two sides also agreed to soon finalize an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders. Moreover, a MoU between the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis & HRD and the Iraqi Ministry of Labor would be signed soon to facilitate the issuance of work permits for Pakistani citizens in Iraq.

Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistani & HRD Chaudhary Salik Hussain stated that the MoU will make it easier for Pakistani citizens to obtain work permits in Iraq. He also stated that it will also increase legal immigration, and reduce illegal entry in Iraq. The Interior Minister also assured the Iraqi ambassador of his full cooperation in resolving the issue of illegal Pakistani residents in Iraq. On behalf of Interior Minister Iraq, the Iraqi Ambassador congratulated Mohsin Naqvi on his appointment as Interior Minister and extended an invitation to visit Iraq. The meeting was also attended by Federal Secretary Interior Khurram Ali Agha and senior officials of the Iraqi Embassy.