Pakistan to Launch Centralized System for Pilgrimages to Iran and Iraq

Pakistan to Launch Centralized System for Pilgrimages to Iran and Iraq
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Pakistan’s government is rolling out a centralized system to regulate pilgrimages to religious sites in Iran, Iraq, and Syria, the country’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced Tuesday. The move follows a trilateral meeting in Tehran between interior ministers from Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq, requested by Islamabad to address issues linked to thousands of Pakistani Shiite pilgrims traveling annually to these countries.

Although Pakistan approved a framework in 2021 to organize these trips, it was not fully implemented. Under the new system, tour operators organizing pilgrimages must register with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, similar to the Hajj and Umrah frameworks. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that from January next year, individual pilgrimages would be prohibited due to concerns about overstaying and unauthorized work by some travelers.

Minister Yousaf stated that about 40,000 Pakistani pilgrims have overstayed in Iran, Iraq, and Syria in recent years, prompting repeated concerns from host countries. The government now aims to modernize the process with a digital tracking system.

A new policy for Zaireen Group Organizers (ZGOs) has been approved, requiring companies to register and clear security checks. Of 1,400 applicants, 585 have passed vetting and must finalize online registration by July 31, with applications open until August 10. Licensed ZGOs will provide standardized travel packages, ensuring better oversight and accountability, similar to arrangements for Hajj pilgrims, Yousaf said.