Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain has revealed that nearly 50,000 Pakistanis have disappeared in Iraq during their pilgrimage.
This situation has prompted the government to consider implementing a new policy for pilgrims.
During a Senate committee meeting on Wednesday, chaired by Senator Attaur Rehman, Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain disclosed that approximately 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq.
He explained that while the Iraqi government provides free visas for pilgrims, tour operators are charging between $80 and $90.
The Additional Secretary of Religious Affairs updated the committee on a forthcoming policy for pilgrims traveling to Iraq, Iran, and Syria, which is awaiting cabinet approval.
Read More: Pakistan to grant visa-free access for nationals of 126 countries
Currently, pilgrims are organized into groups at Taftan, with a total of 136 groups dispatched for their pilgrimage. Senator Raja Nisar Abbas emphasized the lengthy waiting times and inadequate basic facilities, noting that food and beverages are both costly and of poor quality.
Secretary of Religious Affairs Zulfiqar Haider announced the establishment of a new directorate for pilgrims traveling to Iraq and Iran, modeled after the existing Hajj Directorate.
Senator Bushra Anjum Butt of PML-N stressed that any new policy for pilgrims must address the needs of women and children, ensuring their safety and comfort. The Federal Minister for Religious Affairs added that measures are being implemented to address the problems of illegal travel to other countries.
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