Pakistan Ends Caravan System, Introduces Official Agencies for Religious Visits

Pakistan Ends Caravan System, Introduces Official Agencies for Religious Visits
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Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, announced the accreditation of 24 official agencies to organize religious trips to Iran, Iraq, and Syria. This move aims to regulate travel and enhance services for pilgrims by ensuring that all travel is conducted through registered agencies providing transportation, accommodation, and food services.

The decision follows the government’s recent cancellation of the “Salar” system, which allowed caravan leaders to independently manage pilgrim groups. The change comes after reports that around 40,000 Pakistani citizens overstayed or went missing during visits to these countries over the past decade.