ISLAMABAD: The Iraqi ambassador to Pakistan, Hamid Abbas Lafta on Sunday met with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of Overseas Pakistani’s Chaudhry Salik Hussain and discussed ways to improve the travel experience for Pakistani pilgrims visiting Iraq.
The meeting was focused on making it easier and more affordable for Pakistani Muslims to travel to Iraq for religious pilgrimages.
The discussion highlighted the possibility of free entry visas for Pakistani pilgrims and increasing the number of people allowed to visit each year.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed his serious concern about travel agents charging pilgrims excessive fees and ensured to take action against those breaking the law.
He also requested the Iraqi government to consider the issue of permitting Pakistani pilgrims to keep their passports while in Iraq.
The Iraqi ambassador assured full cooperation in making travel easier for Pakistani pilgrims and provided a list of travel agents who had been overcharging visitors. Minister Naqvi in response assured to take action against these agents within a week.
The two sides also agreed to quickly finalize a visa waiver agreement for diplomats and officials from both countries.
Additionally, Pakistan and Iraq are working on a deal that will make it easier for Pakistani workers to obtain work permits in Iraq.
The Iraqi ambassador also congratulated Minister Naqvi on his new position and invited him to visit Iraq.
